Green Flag awards given to scores of parks in the East of England
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "We are thrilled to see that an incredible 204 sites in the East of England have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of the people tasked with caring for and improving these crucial national assets."
Four Green Flag awards have been given to St Albans City and District Council in Hertfordshire in recognition of its outstanding parks and open spaces.Hertfordshire's Verulamium Park was also given a green heritage site accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the "excellent management" of its ancient Roman features.Elsewhere in the district, Harpenden Common and Lydekker Park – both owned by Harpenden Town Council – were also awarded Green Flags.Jersey Farm Woodland Park, owned by Sandridge Parish Council, was awarded the community award.
The scheme was launched 29 years ago and the first awards were given a year later. In Essex, the Boleyn Gardens Beaulieu Recreation Ground and Grand Vista - run by Chelmsford City Council - won a Green Flag award.Angel Meadow and David Smith Memorial fields looked after by Broomfield Parish Council and Broomfield Village Hall have also made it onto the awards list.
Thirteen places in Suffolk have been given Green Flags by Keep Britain Tidy.Aspal Close, Brandon Country Park, East Town, Nowton Park, West Stow and The Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds have all been given Green Flags.In Ipswich, Bourne Park, Christchurch and Holywells have been recognised as have Nicholas Everitt in Oulton Broad near Lowestoft.Alton Water's found its way back on the list while Felixstowe Seafront Gardens retains its award as does Lowestoft's Woods Meadow Country Park.
Norwich also made its way onto the list with six parks and green spaces being awarded including three new entries.Nature-lovers visiting Kett's Heights on Kett's HIll, often get to see views of the cathedral and the castle but it has also become a new winner of the Green Flag award.Jenny Lind Park on Norfolk Street has also become a new addition to the list alongside Heigham Park on Jessopp Road.Mousehold Heath on Heartsease Lane, Waterloo Park on Angel Road and Eaton Park on Park Avenue have all kept their Green Flag status.
In Northamptonshire, The Green Patch in Kettering has won a Green Flag award.This area uses a 2.5-acre site to support young people, adults and families through free gardening, therapy sessions, and mental health and wellbeing activities.
In Cambridgeshire, places such as Ely Country Park and Jubilee Gardens have also been featured.
Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
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