Worcester is going greener than ever this year with the news that no fewer than FIVE council parks have been awarded prestigious Green Flag status, meaning they are officially recognised as being among the country's best green spaces.
This year sees a first Green Flag for Astwood Cemetery and Crematorium, the outstanding grounds of which have scooped the award, thanks to the hard work of Worcester City Council's bereavement team.
The grounds includes gardens of remembrance, a garden of solace and a wreath terrace – not to mention a natural burial area, which is managed using techniques that promote wildflower growth across the whole site, which also has bat boxes, bird boxes, mammal hides, a solar-lit brook and even beehives to encourage flora and fauna.
Green Flags have also been awarded once again to Gheluvelt Park, Fort Royal Park, Cripplegate Park and Riverside Park.
The Green Flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – which played a vital role for people through lockdowns as places to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely.
The news that five Worcester parks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams which keep Worcester's green spaces in tip-top condition.
Vice chair of Worcester City Council's Environment Committee, Cllr Karen Lewing, said: "We are thrilled that Astwood Cemetery has been awarded Green Flag status – it is a beautiful and peaceful site, where we do all we can to encourage nature to flourish, whilst ensuring that the site continues to be appealing and respectful. We are equally delighted to see that our four other parks have been awarded the Green Flag yet again too – we are lucky to have so many well-tended green spaces in Worcester which can be enjoyed by everyone."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Any green space 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 Award status.
