31/07/2014 - Permalink

Severn Valley Country Park wins Green Flag Award for record 11th year

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

More parks and green spaces than ever will be flying the Green Flag Award this year – more than 1,470 across the UK.  Severn Valley Country at Alveley and Highley is an award-winner for a record 11th consecutive year.  This means that it has held the award longer than any other park in Shropshire.

This week, the Green Flag Award Scheme has unveiled this year’s winners of the Award – the mark of a quality park or green space in the UK.

In total, 1,476 parks, cemeteries, universities, shopping centres and community gardens have met the high standard needed to receive the Award.

Among this year’s recipients of the Award are, for the first time, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, Stormont Estate in Belfast, Beechwood Park in Stirling and Caldicot Castle and Country Park in Monmouthshire.

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

Severn Valley Country Park is a 126-acre site with way-marked walks, a cycle path and easy access trail, a natural play area, wildflower meadows, woodland and riverside walks and a fantastic visitor centre and teashop with wonderful views down the valley.  There are a range of public events throughout the year including outdoor plays, guided walks and an annual 5km running race.  The volunteer group at the park meet each week to help out with practical work and also help with fund-raising.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:

“I would like to thank all the dedicated staff and volunteers at Severn Valley Country Park for their hard work in maintaining such a wonderful park.  This is a great example of how Shropshire Council can work alongside volunteers and local communities to enable them to make a real difference to their local area.”

Tina Woodward, local Shropshire Councillor for Alveley and Claverley, said:

“Severn Valley Country Park really does have something for everyone.  Families can enjoy school holiday events, the play area and fantastic picnic areas.  Nature lovers can explore habitats such as wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands. Cyclists and walkers are well catered for with way-marked routes.  The park is well-loved by visitors and locals alike.”

Dave Tremellen, local Shropshire Councillor for Highley, said:

“As the site of the old Highley Colliery, Severn Valley Country Park is an integral part of the mining history of this part of the county.  It is great to see how the park has matured over the last 20 years and how it is gaining popularity with visitors.  The Green Flag Award recognises the special features of this wonderful park with its mixture of history, wildlife and recreational opportunities.”

The teashop and visitor centre at Severn Valley Country Park is open seven days a week throughout the school holidays.  Children’s events are taking place every Wednesday and Friday.  For more details, please telephone 01746 781192 or take a look at the Severn Valley Country Park Facebook page.

Further information

A full list of Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award winner is available here

The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run by Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department of Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the National Housing Federation.