Colchester awarded multiple green flags

Date issued: 14 October 2020

The Green Flag Awards, which shine a light on the UK’s very best parks and green spaces, have been announced this week with Colchester Borough Council once again scooping the national award for Castle Park, High Woods Country Park and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium. As well as receiving its 18th Green Flag award, Castle Park has also once again been awarded the Green Heritage award, which recognises its work to promote its historic surroundings.

The three sites are among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces and 161 in the east of England that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award from Keep Britain Tidy – 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 space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

To be able to fly the prestigious Green Flag, these parks and open spaces are checked regularly throughout the year to ensure they're clean and well maintained, offer a welcoming place to visit and encourage community involvement.

Councillor Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, said: “I’m delighted that all three sites have once again received Green Flag Awards – and especially delighted that Castle Park has been recognised with a Green Heritage Award. These prestigious accolades recognise the continuous hard work and dedication that our staff and volunteers put in to maintaining these areas and their facilities to such a high standard all year-round.

“I’m also delighted to be supporting the Keep Britain Tidy #GoGreenForParks campaign by lighting Colchester Castle and Town Hall up green this evening. I’m proud of all our wonderful green spaces. They are a wonderful community resource, providing a place to walk, play and meet up with friends during these unusual times, as well as being a haven for wildlife.”

Councillor Mark Cory, Colchester Borough Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Customers, added: “These awards celebrate the dedication that goes into maintaining our parks and open spaces to such a high standard, and I’m delighted we have retained the Green Flag status. The cemetery and crematorium site is a community asset, providing a green space for people to take a quiet walk or a moment to reflect, as well as being a haven for wildlife.”

Further information about Colchester Borough Council’s park and countryside spaces and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium is available at colchester.gov.uk.

ENDS