Green Flag awards for three of East Devon’s much loved green spaces

Council’s StreetScene and Countryside teams and volunteers celebrate Green Flag Awards for Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth (15th year running), Manor Gardens, Exmouth (14th year running) and Seaton Wetlands (second year running)

Three of East Devon District Council’s most popular green spaces - Connaught Gardens (Sidmouth), Manor Gardens (Exmouth) and Seaton Wetlands nature reserve - have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as among the very best in the world.

The three award winning spaces, which are all owned and managed by the council with unstinting support from volunteers, are among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that have received 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 awarded space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The council knows how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and the Green Flag Award celebrates the hard work that goes into maintaining the quality of these spaces.

Each flag honours the thousands of staff, In Bloom volunteers and local schools who have come together to either maintain, plant or who are willing to just get involved. East Devon is lucky to have dedicated teams and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

Cllr Tom Wright, East Devon’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The Green Flag awards for Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth are a well-deserved tribute to the volunteers, the respective town ‘in bloom’ teams and the staff of East Devon District Council who work so hard to create and maintain these wonderful gardens that residents and visitors enjoy and value so much. A really outstanding effort by all involved.”

East Devon District Council Deputy Environment portfolio holder, Cllr Marcus Hartnell said: ‘’The Green Flag Award for Seaton Wetlands recognises the contribution the Countryside team and volunteers have made to local people and tourists who visit the area. The Wetlands is a wonderful place with an abundance of wildlife, it is enjoyed by bird watchers, cyclists, walkers and families looking for safe places for their children to explore. To pass with flying colours for a second year is a great success.”

Countryside Team Leader, Tim Dafforn said: “We are all over the moon to have been awarded a Green Flag for the second successive year. It is testament to all our volunteers and staff who make the site suitable for wildlife and welcoming for visitors.

“The award signifies Seaton Wetlands as a high quality green space and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors over the rest of the busy summer season.”

More information on Seaton Wetlands and other sites managed by the Countryside team can be found at: wildeastdevon.co.uk. The Countryside team can be contacted via email: countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or phone: 01395 517557.

For more information about East Devon’s Connaught Gardens and Manor Gardens visit: the parks, gardens and recreation pages of the East Devon web site: http://eastdevon.gov.uk/parks-gardens-and-recreation/parks-and-gardens/