COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (130) issued by The Government News Network
on 17 July 2007
The best parks and
green spaces in England were named today by Baroness Kay Andrews,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
A record 538 Green Flag Awards - the national standard for parks
and green spaces - have been awarded to sites across the country.
The scheme has been running for 11 years and this year has seen a
32 per cent rise in the number of winners, further evidence of the
renaissance of our parks and green spaces. Winners are judged to
be welcoming, safe and well maintained and involve the local community.
Visiting first time award winner St James' Park, which
provides a peaceful refuge for people living, working or visiting
Central London, Baroness Andrews said:
"I'd like to congratulate all of the Green Flag winners
this year. The huge rise in winners is yet more evidence that
across the country the standard of our parks continues to rise.
Parks provide an oasis of calm and natural beauty and have a vital
role to play in our modern lives as places where people come
together to relax, exercise and play.
"Green Flags are awarded to the country's best parks
but everyone should be able to enjoy great quality parks and green
spaces. Our ambition is that all communities should benefit from
this renaissance and local people have the opportunity to take
part in the transformation of their parks. St James Park is a
shining example of what can be achieved in partnership with the
community. Its friends group the Thorney Island Society take an
active role in the running of the park."
Paul Todd, the Green Flag Award scheme's programme manager, said:
"We are once again delighted with the huge growth in
winners, highlighting the importance quality green spaces play in
our communities. These winning sites are all freely accessible to
the public, providing time out from the stresses of modern day
life. "Well done to the many dedicated parks staff, friends
groups and passionate individuals who have worked hard to provide
these vital green spaces which help improve the quality of life
for everyone."
In addition, 60 community run sites in England were awarded Green
Pennants and 31 sites achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation.
Following the announcement, many of these Green Flag Award
winners will be celebrating their success with special events in
their parks. See http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk
for details.
The Green Flag Award is a key component of the Government's
commitment to create cleaner, safer, greener communities. This
year's winners will celebrate their achievements at a major
ceremony at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Supported by Leeds City
Council, Caliba Signs and Sutcliffe Play, winners will be awarded
their Green Flags at the event, which for the first time includes
a suppliers' exhibition.
Notes to Editors
1. The Green Flag Award scheme, launched in 1996, is managed by
the Civic Trust on behalf of Communities and Local Government and
the Green Flag Advisory Board which comprises founders of the
scheme, sponsors, winners and judges.
2. Images and contact details are available of all award winning
parks and green spaces. Contact Caroline Williams of the Civic
Trust on 0151 231 6903 cwilliams@civictrust.org.uk.
3. The scheme is sponsored by Communities and Local Government,
English Heritage and Natural England and in Wales by the by the
Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, Design
Commission for Wales and Welsh Assembly Government.
4. Any green space in England and Wales that is freely accessible
to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards
are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to
renew their Green Flag status. A Green Pennant Award recognises
quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green
Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the
site's historic features and the standard of conservation.
Sites are judged in May and June each year and the winners are
announced in July, flying their Green Flag until July the
following year.
5. Communities and Local Government leads the Government's
drive to create cleaner, safer, greener communities. Further
details are available at http://www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk
6. The Civic Trust is an independent, national charity, founded
in 1957. It works with people to promote thriving towns and
villages, developing partnerships between communities, government
and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement. It is
the umbrella body for 850 civic societies across the country,
representing over 250,000 individuals committed to improving and
caring for places where people live and work. http://www.civictrust.org.uk
7. Find your nearest Green Flag Award winning site by visiting http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk
featuring the most comprehensive guide to events taking place in
parks and green spaces throughout the year.
8. The National Audit Office published its value for money study,
'Enhancing Urban Green Spaces' on 2 March 2006. See http://www.nao.org.uk
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News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk