Old Station, Tintern
Monmouthshire County Council is celebrating the news that three of its parks have been granted the coveted Green Flag Award. Tintern’s Old Station, Caldicot Castle & Country Park and Abergavenny’s Castle Meadows have been recognised as being among the best parks and green spaces in the country and maintaining high standards throughout the year.
The awards recognise the considerable efforts made by volunteers to reach these standards.
This year, Wales’ leading environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy, has awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award to a record 65 parks and 36 community-managed green spaces in Wales.
Monmouthshire’s parks are very popular with residents and visitors and have attracted a number of awards in recent years. Tintern’s Old Station has developed an excellent reputation as one of the area’s top visitor centres and was voted the UK’s favourite park in the 2011 People’s Choice Green Flag Award public poll. It’s situated in a scenic wooded area next to the River Wye and its tea room is noted for its fare
Caldicot’s magnificent medieval castle is set in fifty-five acres of beautiful country park offering an ideal setting for picnics and walks against the background of the castle walls, with picnic tables and barbeques. The castle hosts a number of events throughout the year drawing people from far and wide.
Abergavenny’s tranquil Castle Meadows are set on the banks of the River Usk. The site offers a peaceful setting just a short stroll from the centre of the town and will host the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod in 2016
County councillor Giles Howard, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for Environment and Countryside said: “It’s a source of great pride to us that three of our parks have been recognised as worthy of the Green Flag Award and have added to the accolades bestowed previously. Monmouthshire is a beautiful county and The Old Station, Caldicot Castle with its Country Park and Abergavenny’s Castle Meadows are among the venues that people flock to visit. I am particularly pleased that the awards recognise the effort and role of the volunteers at each site.”
Joanna Friedli, Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Co-ordinator commented: “Keep Wales Tidy is extremely proud that so many parks and green spaces in Wales have reached the high standards necessary to achieve Green Flag status. The feedback received from our experienced volunteer judges in regards to the dedication and effort shown by staff and volunteers at these parks has been fantastic. I would like to pass on our congratulations to every single park receiving the Green Flag Award 2014/2015 and the Community Awards 2014/15 and hope that together we can continue to raise the standards of parks and green space in Wales and provide our communities with fantastic facilities to enjoy throughout the year.”
For more information or to get involved in Green Flag Awards, visit www.keepwalestidy.org/greenflag.
