It’s official! Derbyshire Dales District Council’s parks and gardens in Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock are blooming great after winning coveted Green Flag Awards.
The top Derbyshire Dales locations are among UK winners of an award that is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
And while Bath Gardens in Bakewell has now been awarded Green Flags in each of the past four years and Matlock’s Hall Leys Park is a winner for a 17th consecutive year, Ashbourne Park is celebrating Green Flag status for the first time.
In Ashbourne Park (from left below): The District Council’s Community Development Officer Emma Mortimer, Joint Deputy Council Leader Cllr Neil Buttle and Steve and Paul from the Clean & Green Team.
District Council Leader Councillor Steve Flitter said:
"It’s brilliant that these three parks have achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award, and we are particularly pleased that all the extra work that has gone into Ashbourne Park has paid off this year.
“In addition to upgrades throughout the park in Ashbourne, we have invested in recent times in the excellent Pavilion in the Park and the brand new bandstand, enhancing a superb recreational facility for local people and visitors to the town.
“It is important to stress that these awards say so much about the hard work and dedication of our Clean & Green teams, not just in Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock but throughout more than 30 parks and gardens that we own and operate across the Dales.
“Our green spaces are a haven for young and old alike here in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales. Crucially, they also attract visitors, which is vital for the district’s economy.”
In Matlock’s Hall Leys Park (from left, above): One of the Clean & Green park workers, Paul, with Community Development Officer Emma Mortimer and Council Leader Councillor Flitter.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Derbyshire Dales District Council on achieving these Green Flag Awards.
“These are vital green spaces for communities in Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and they provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
In Bakewell Bath Gardens (from left): Richard and Andrew from the Clean and Green Team, with Joint Deputy Council Leader Cllr Bob Butcher and Community Development Manager Becky Cummins.
