Chichester and Selsey gardens win green award
Popular gardens close to Chichester Cathedral are flying the flag today – after winning a prestigious green flag award.
The accolade means the Bishop's Palace Gardens are recognised as one of the country's best green spaces.
The flag was raised yesterday by district council chairman John Ridd.
Bishop's Palace Gardens stood out after impressing the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.
"This is the first green flag award for the council and I am very proud it has been won by Bishop's Palace Gardens," said Cllr Ridd.
"It proves what many of us know already, that the gardens are a very special place.
"I would like to pay tribute to the parks staff for their hard work and also to the Friends of Bishop's Palace Gardens, staff and pupils from Prebendal School and the many volunteers who have helped develop it.
"Free open spaces are very important and are enjoyed by the entire community. I hope many more people will use the gardens and appreciate what a fantastic gem it is in Chichester."
Manor Green Park which sits behind the Selsey Centre, Manor Road, Selsey received a Green Pennant Award as part of the national scheme. Pennants are awarded to parks or green spaces managed by a community or voluntary group.
The park is owned by Selsey Town Council.
Parish clerk Gill Jennings said: "This is a big deal for Selsey. The park is very well used and there a lots of facilities for residents here.
"We have got a track for runners and a new walking group will be using it also. It also has a sensory garden and community orchard, all Sussex varieties.
"This award puts Selsey on the map and is a testament to all the hard work of the volunteers who look after the park."
The awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country. Any green space is eligible to win the award, providing visitors can enter free of charge.
Criteria used for judging applications include: a welcoming place; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage; community involvement; marketing; and management.
This year has seen the highest number of awards ever handed out – a record 1,200 green flags and green pennants across the UK compared to 1,013 in 2009.
Paul Todd, manager of the award scheme, said: "As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of particular importance."
The vision was that by 2020, 50 per cent of green spaces in England and Wales would be of green flag standard – 15,000 sites.
To see the list of winners log on to www.greenflagaward.org
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Weather for Chichester
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
