GREEN FLAG AWARD WON FOR BOTH VICTORIA PARK AND FOR CITY RECREATION GROUND FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

Victoria Park has once again been awarded ‘Green Flag’ status for 2024/25, recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world. The Town Council received the Award for Victoria Park for the first time in 2019.

In addition, we are very proud to announce that the Green Flag Award has also been awarded to City Recreation Ground, which was first awarded last year after a successful submission by Newbury Town Council.

The prestigious Green Flag Award is the recognised mark of a quality park or green space and demonstrates to the public that the Park boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is well maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The judges were particularly impressed with how much effort the Town Council puts into engaging the local community to set up volunteer groups, the refurbishment of our historic bandstand in Victoria Park and colourful planting schemes.

Commenting on Victoria Park, the judges said that it was a valuable open green space in Newbury with an array of facilities and activities for the public to enjoy. They noted that Heritage assets are a key part of its identity and overall, the park is very well used by a diverse range of people both young and old. 

Cllr Vaughan Miller, Chair of the Council’s Community Services Committee said, “We are absolutely delighted to retain this award for Victoria Park and so pleased to have succeeded in winning Green Flag status for City Recreation Ground for a second year.

He continued, “We are pleased that we have been able to re-introduce football at Victoria Park for youth teams. The football pitch has had significant investment and improvements over the last year we had a very successful first season with a number of youth games being played.  We were also thrilled to introduce the new outdoor exercise equipment to Victoria Park earlier this year, which has proved to be very popular!”         

Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council thanked all those involved saying, “We first achieved green Flag status for Victoria Park in 2019 and our team at the Town Council and our new contractors, John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance Ltd have worked hard to ensure that both Parks are worthy of this recognition.

As well as the great work carried out by our Contractors and James Heasman, our Parks & Open Spaces Supervisor, I would like to thank our volunteer groups and my colleagues in the Council’s Green Spaces Working group who provide essential support”.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Newbury Town Council on achieving the Green Flag Awards.

Both Victoria Park and City Recreation Ground are a vital green spaces for communities in Newbury to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement”. 

CONTACTS:

James Heasman, Parks & Open Spaces Supervisor james.heasman@newbury.gov.uk 07775 434475

Cllr Gary Norman, Leader of the Council gary.norman@newbury.gov.uk 07801 046115