Fourth Green Flag Award for Silloth Green
Photo courtesy of Cumberland News
KEEP BRITAIN TIDY NEWS RELEASE
Silloth Green named as one of the best in Britain
More parks and green spaces than ever will be flying the Green Flag Award this year – more than 1,600 across the UK.
Silloth Green in Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria is one of the very best in the UK – and that’s official!
The Green is among a record-breaking 1,686 parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.
The award, now celebrating its 20th year, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
Councillor Bill Jefferson, Chair of Silloth-on-Solway Town Council’s Parks Committee said “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the fourth time running and this is already paving the way for the two high profile RHS visits to us. The Cumbria in Bloom judges have already visited us on 14 July and whilst we still await their final report, it is clear that they have been delighted to find further progress. It is widely known that this year, Silloth has been nominated by the RHS to the national short list of finalists in the small coastal town category. The national judges visit us on 4 August and final preparations are underway by the Silloth in Bloom community group, to ensure the best possible outcome.”
Three separate park areas, namely: ‘The Green,’ ‘Harbour Green’ and ‘Skinburness Green,’ are collectively known as ‘Silloth Green,’ one of the largest village greens in the North of England. It boasts spectacular views over the Solway Firth to Criffel and the Caerlaverock Hills in the North and the Lake District to the South. The Green forms a green link between Silloth’s grand Victorian townscape and the sea front promenade, for many years attracting visitors seeking fresh sea air and recreational facilities.
Successful funding bids in 2010 resulted in a five-year programme to refurbish the Green and restore its heritage buildings. Heritage Lottery Fund put forward £1.1m and the Rural Development Programme for England provided funds of £96k. Silloth Town Council also made a substantial contribution. The Edwardian ladies toilets, built in 1910 and the spectacular Victorian pagoda built on a mound overlooking the sea have been sympathetically refurbished.
Officially re-opened in 2012, the Green now boasts a modern Water Splash play area, an entertainment area in local Cumbrian sandstone, a woodland adventure play area, a Putting Green and a BMX track. Beautiful oak picnic tables and benches are to be found in various locations, all accessible by new paths. Paths lined with shrub beds allow disabled access to all main areas. Along Criffel Street, some Victorian style lighting has recently been installed, in-keeping with the heritage of the town.
The Green’s Community Garden, funded by Heritage Lottery and designed with input from local people, was opened in May 2014. ‘Friends of the Green’ care for the ‘Community Garden,’ which is situated on the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace. During 2015, the Heritage Rose and Bee Garden, which is situated closer to the sea, benefitted from new drainage and was replanted with a variety of roses and a number of bee loving plants. A bee hotel was erected in the middle of the striking display of rose bushes, plants and shrubs, which are creating a haven for the local bee and butterfly population.
Regular events, organised by volunteers, are held on the Green annually, including Silloth Green Day, Silloth Vintage Rally, Silloth Carnival and the Silloth Music and Beer Festival. A weekly Thursday market is also held along the edge of the Green, along Criffel Street. General information and more details about events can be found on the Silloth Green website at www.sillothgreen.co.uk.
Tony Markley, Mayor of Silloth, said: “We are really pleased to have received another Green Flag Award. This Award recognises Silloth Green as a well-managed, high quality green space which could not have been achieved without the dedicated work of our Town Council staff, grounds maintenance team and community volunteers.”
This Award recognises and highlights that people in Silloth and visitors to the town are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.
International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Awards.
“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
Silloth’s flag raising ceremony will take place on Thursday 28 July 2016 at 10.00 am at the Community Garden on Silloth Green (at the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace).
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity 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.
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more. We are run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.
Any green space that is 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 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.
Photocall opportunity
The flag raising ceremony will take place on Thursday 28 July 2016 at 10.00 am at the Community Garden on Silloth Green (at the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace). Press photos may be taken at the event.
Press enquiries
Wendy Jameson, Town Clerk, Silloth-on-Solway Town Council
Tel: 0777 5686857 Email: townclerk@silloth-on-solway.co.uk
Contact the Keep Britain Tidy press office:
Louise Rice 01942 612 659 louise.rice@keepbritaintidy.org
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