Green Flag Awards again for our green spaces

Green Flag Award winners from around the country were revealed today (Monday 25th July) and include Elmore Park in Rugeley, Ravenhill Park in Brereton, Castle Ring in Cannock Wood and Cannock Park.

The green spaces stood out after impressing the judges with their excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standards of safety and security.

All four green spaces have retained the Green Flag Awards - the national benchmark for quality green spaces - they won last year.

Cllr Janos Toth, Cannock Chase Council Deputy Leader with responsibility for the Environment Portfolio, said: "The Council manages more than 1,000 hectares of parks and green spaces right across the District - that's the size of about 1,600 football pitches.

"They play a crucial role in our communities. Providing high quality, free open spaces is so important to the quality of people's lives and we are committed to continue doing this.

"Council employees who look after the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure facilities are maintained to a high standard.

"We don't take previous Green Flag successes for granted and our staff work tirelessly to ensure Green Flags are retained - and their efforts have certainly been rewarded. I'd like to thank our employees and all the other passionate individuals and voluntary groups who have worked hard to provide these vital green spaces which help to improve the quality of life for everyone."

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

All of our Green Flag sites now have the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership called the People's Choice Award. This award is voted for by the public - so please log on to www.greenflagaward.org.uk to register your vote.