Four of Amber Valley's parks have once again, been awarded
prestigious Green Flag Awards. Belper Parks, Belper River
Gardens, Pennytown Ponds in Somercotes and Crossley Park in Ripley
have each received the Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors
that the park is well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent
facilities.
Belper Parks are celebrating their fourth consecutive award whilst
Belper River Gardens gets its second Green Flag in a row. In
Somercotes, Pennytown Ponds raises its second flag for the Nature
Reserve, which is surrounded by an industrial estate, and Ripley's
Crossley Park is celebrating its fifth award in a row.
However, there was disappointment for Heanor Memorial Park and
Ripley Cemetery which missed out on the awards this year.
Councillor Liz Bowley, Cabinet Member for Green and Thriving
Places to Live said: " We are proud of all our open spaces and the
value they bring to local people. A key to the success of those
that won awards is community involvement as each of the parks has a
Friends group or some kind of community interest group".
"We're therefore looking for groups of people who are passionate
about Ripley Cemetery and Heanor Memorial Park to get in touch with
us, and to work with us to strive for Green Flag awards for these
spaces in the future. It's commitment, in part, of groups in
Belper, Ripley and Somercotes that has resulted in the these
accolades so we believe it's something that can make a difference
in other parks."
Anyone interested in forming a Friends Group for Heanor Memorial
Park or Ripley Cemetery should contact Sharon Thomas on 01773
841570
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:
"We are thrilled to announce yet another record-breaking year
for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces. A Green Flag Award
provides national recognition for the achievements of all those
whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic
places for all to enjoy.
"I must also thank all this year's 800+ volunteer judges for
their magnificent efforts in assessing an astounding number of
applications."
The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed in the UK by a
consortium, comprising Keep Britain Tidy, The Conservation
Volunteers and GreenSpace. Known collectively as the Green Flag
Plus Partnership, the consortium manages the scheme in England on
behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government and
in Wales for the Welsh Steering Group.
- Green Flag Award recognises well-managed, high-quality green
spaces. Any green space in the UK is eligible to win this award
providing it is freely accessible to the public. Previous winners
include parks managed by local authorities as well as those run by
community groups and trusts. The scheme was set up in 1996.
For more information visit:
www.greenflagaward.org.uk
www.keepbritaintidy.org
www.communities.gov.uk
www.green-space.org.uk
www.btcv.org
For further information please contact Luke Barrett
communications manager at Amber Valley Borough Council 01773 841655
email luke.barrett@ambervalley.gov.uk