Hedge End’s Cemetery Given Prestigious Green Flag Award

Today, Wednesday 28 July, Hedge End’s cemetery in Albert Road received a Green Flag Award, meaning it has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces.

Albert Road Cemetery impressed the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standards of safety and security.

The Green Flag scheme is run by a partnership of environmental charities – Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace – and only green spaces that are open to the public and free to enter are eligible for nomination.

Award ceremonies took place across the country at 12.00 today and here in Hedge End Dave Bowen, Project Manager for Parks and Green Spaces at Eastleigh Borough Council presented the green flag to Cllr Jane Welsh, Hedge End Town Council Vice Chair and Chair of the Recreation and Amenities Committee.

Dave Bowen said, “It’s pleasing to know that cemeteries are now classed as green spaces.”

He congratulated and thanked everyone involved, adding – a judge himself, although ineligible to judge in Eastleigh – “I know what a lot of hard work everyone has put in.”

Cllr Welsh thanked the council ground staff for creating a green space “shining much more than any other cemetery around us,” and thanked too Denise Lowth, Deputy Town Clerk, Hedge End Town Council, for her work on the management plan that had to be submitted as part of the nomination.

Denise Lowth, said, “The Town Council are immensely honoured and proud to receive the prestigious Green Flag Award which will enhance the environmental, ecological, bio-diversity and conservation qualities of this site and emphasise the value of its future and heritage.

“The Town Council’s vision and aim is to maintain the highest quality service and provision to parishioners, not only for an essential amenity at the most sensitive and demanding times but also in providing a peaceful and tranquil place of rest that can be visited for its beauty, wildlife and quiet contemplation.

 “The award could not come at a better time as GreenSpace’s Love Parks week takes place between July 24 and August 1, during which people will be encouraged to enjoy the nation’s parks and green spaces.”

A record 1,200 Green Flags and Green Pennants (given to parks or green spaces managed by a community or voluntary group) have been awarded across the UK this year (compared to 1,013 in 2009) and Paul Todd manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme commented, “It s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staff running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.”

For more information about Love Parks Week see Hedgeendpeople story, Love Parks Week and How to Mark it in Hedge End and for details about Albert Road Cemetery visit the Hedge End Town Council website where Hedge End resident Mike Rogerson’s site map and interment register can be found.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed in England on behalf of Communities and Local Government (CLG).