TWO parks in West Berkshire have received the Green Flag Award.
Northcroft and Goldwell Park in Newbury and Holybrook Linear Park in Calcot have received the Green Flag Award for the 12th and 11th year respectively.
They are among the 2,000 parks and green spaces across the UK currently raising their Green Flag Award with pride in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Richard Somner, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Countryside said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Awards again for Northcroft and Goldwell Parks, and for Holybrook Linear Park.
"To achieve these awards for the 12th and 11th years in a row shows the long term commitment we have to maintaining a green district.
“We all love our green spaces.
"And they have never been as vital to our wellbeing as they are during the current Covid situation.
"More than ever, they are a lifeline for so many people.
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"They are places where we can exercise or just stop, take a breath and enjoy the benefits of nature and in West Berkshire, we are very fortunate to have so many of them.
“We recognise how much quality green spaces matter to our residents and visitors, especially during the lockdown, and these awards celebrate the dedication that goes into maintaining these great parks, the staff, contractors and of course our excellent volunteer groups that maintain them so beautifully for everyone to enjoy.”
Commenting on West Berkshire’s success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, these parks have achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
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