Shropshire Council Parks and Countryside sites have again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award
Three Shropshire Council Parks and Countryside sites have again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award. This international award, now celebrating 30 years, is a sign of the highest possible environmental standards, highest levels of maintenance and excellent visitor facilities.
Andy Judd and Luke Lowe, who regularly run and volunteer at parkrun each Saturday, helping to celebrate another Green Flag Award at Severn Valley Country Park
The award-winning standards at Severn Valley Country Park, The Mere at Ellesmere and Stanmore Country Park are achieved through the hard work of the Shropshire Council Parks and Countryside team and the dedication of the volunteers.
The beautiful Mere at Ellesmere
The sites, between them, attract over ½ million visitors each year. The aim is to provide green spaces that are safe and welcoming for families and individuals to meet, socialise and enjoy nature. This, in turn, provides both physical and mental health benefits to those enjoying the outdoors.
At Severn Valley Country Park, there are regular activities including parkrun every Saturday and Nordic Walking sessions on Wednesdays. No 92 Coffee Severn Valley are now operating the café and they are serving delicious meals, 7 days a week.
During term time, schools can book visits led by Field Studies Council allowing children to get hands-on with nature. At Ellesmere, it’s possible to get out on Shropshire’s largest glacial lake (after getting annual membership or paying the day rate) on your own canoe, kayak or paddle board. You can explore the history of Stanmore on the Family Art Trail.
Andy Howard, chair of the Friends of Stanmore commented that
“The Friends of Stanmore Country Park are delighted to be acknowledged for their contribution towards the positive management of the park and ensuring it continues to be a welcoming, safe place, which is well maintained and where biodiversity and visitor experience are being actively improved.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:
“Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Every pound invested in a park…delivers real returns – improving wellbeing, bringing communities together, reducing loneliness, giving people somewhere safe and free to spend time and, ultimately, reducing pressure on public services like the NHS.”
Cllr Sarah Marston, portfolio holder for communities and environment, added:
“It is wonderful to see Severn Valley Country Park, The Mere at Ellesmere and Stanmore Country Park once again recognised with Green Flag Awards.
This achievement reflects the commitment of our Parks and Countryside team, volunteers and community partners, whose hard work keeps these much-loved green spaces welcoming, well cared for and rich in opportunities for people to enjoy nature and support their wellbeing.”
Volunteering green spaces similarly has a positive impact. The NHS advocate ‘green social prescribing’ which supports people in engaging with community groups delivering nature-based activities to improve their mental and physical health.
New volunteers are always welcome. The Friends of Stanmore, especially, are looking for people to take part in regular volunteer work parties which manage the park infrastructure and habitats. For more information of how to get involved, please email stanmorecountrypark@gmail.com.
Further Information
Visit www.shropshiregreatoutdoors.co.uk
Severn Valley Country Park, WV15 6NG is the perfect day out for all the family. Set in the peaceful, scenic valley of the River Severn, the park provides 126 acres of beautiful countryside and wonderful views which spans both sides of the longest river in the country, the River Severn. www.shropshiregreatoutdoors.co.uk/severn-valley
The Mere at Ellesmere, SY12 0PA offers peaceful lakeside walks, woodland trails, boating, play areas, and sculpture spotting. The Mere itself is a glacial lake formed over 12,000 years ago Its waters and surrounding landscape brim with natural beauty and cultural heritage, offering a peaceful retreat for wildlife and visitors alike. www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/the-mere-at-ellesmere
Stanmore Country Park, WV15 5HN has 100 acres of woodlands and open areas just waiting to be explored. Meandering paths wind through woodland and grassland, some tracing the old concrete roads of RAF Bridgnorth. www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/site/stanmore-country-park
The Green Flag Award Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. We also campaign for the country to be litter free and waste less. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.
Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis, and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.
