Wyre Forest parks retain Green Flag status

Two of Wyre Forest’s flagship parks have been named as some of the very best in the world.

Brinton Park in Kidderminster and the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens in Bewdley, are among a record-breaking 1,797 UK parks and green spaces to receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure Services Councillor Juliet Smith said: “We are absolutely delighted to have two Green Flag Awards in Wyre Forest. We pride ourselves on the wealth and quality of our many parks and green spaces, which provide our residents with a wide variety of outdoor spaces to enjoy all year round.”

Cabinet Member for Operational Services Councillor Becky Vale added: “We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Brinton Park and QE II Gardens to such a high standard.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. 

“Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.”

The Green Flag announcement falls during Love Parks Week (14-23 July). A number of Wyre Forest Park friends groups have been taking part in the initiative by inviting users to write on special whiteboards messages about what they love best about their local park.

The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department of Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the National Housing Federation.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity which campaigns for quality parks and green spaces for everyone, inspires people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more. They run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, its programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

Any green space that is 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 Flag Community 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. 

Photo shows some of Wyre Forest District Council’s hard-working parks staff l-r Mike Harding, Greg Bywater, Jay Roberts, Colin Chamberlain and Kelvin Hinton.