Country parks receive Green Flag Awards

The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Stover County Park have today (Thursday 23 July) been named among the best green spaces in the UK.

The parks, which are both managed by the County Council, are among a record-breaking 1,582 parks and green spaces across the country, and 90 in the South West, to be presented with the Green Flag Award.

The prestigious award from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, provides recognition that the Grand Western Canal Country Park, near Tiverton, and Stover Country Park, near Newton Abbot, are achieving the highest possible standards, are beautifully maintained and have excellent facilities.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Community, said: “Rangers, volunteers and everyone involved with both Stover Country Park and the Grand Western Canal and Country Park must be thanked for their commitment and dedication. Their efforts have ensured that our parks are of the very highest quality, which is of great benefit to local people as well as visitors. This is deserved recognition that we are lucky enough to have some of the best green spaces in the country.”

It is the seventh consecutive year that the Grand Western Canal has received the award.

Councillor Ray Radford, Chairman of the Joint Advisory Committee, Devon County Councillor for Willand and Uffculme, and Mid Devon Councillor for Halberton, said: “Yet again, what a wonderful achievement, this can only be by the dedication of the Ranger, Staff and Volunteers, who work tirelessly to keep this as a valuable Country Park. Through their efforts this is bringing visitors to the canal at the same time, bringing revenue for the Mid Devon community. Also the continued support from Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council for the financial support, without which, our canal could not achieve such a high standard.”

Councillor Des Hannon, Devon County Councillor for Tiverton East, said: “Our Canal is the best of the best. Regular awards show our quality to visitors and attract more people. That's great for local business. It's tempting to say that what the Aussies are to cricket, our canal is to country parks! Of course, the lesson there is we need to keep up the effort day in day out to stay on top. Many thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteers for winning another trophy.”

Stover Country Park, which covers 114 acres, has now been flying the Green Flag Award for the past 12 years.

The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 volunteers who visit sites and assess them against strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

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. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The announcement of this year’s Award winners comes in the same week that thousands of people up and down the country are enjoying Love Parks Week (July 24 to August 2), an annual celebration of our country’s fantastic green spaces and the community groups that bring them to life.

For more information visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/green-flag