It’s been revealed that TWO local green spaces popular with village visitors and Ruddington walkers are in receipt of prestigious Green Flag Awards this year.
Firstly, Rushcliffe Country Park has received its 17th consecutive Green Flag Award, once again acknowledging it as one of the country’s best parks. Ruddington’s popular green space is among 2,216 places in the UK receiving the 2023/24 award. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure and Wellbeing, Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, joined the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park volunteer group and Council representatives (pictured top) in the Visitor Centre to celebrate.
Cllr Wheeler said: “Rushcliffe Country Park is among the jewels in the crown of the Borough and I’m thrilled that is has received yet another prestigious Green Flag Award. 17 years of this award is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication that takes place here week in and week out. Thank you to all our staff and the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park volunteers who manage and maintain the green space so that everyone can enjoy it. This award builds on our success and earlier this year the park received national recognition as best budget and family-friendly picnic spot in England!”
Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park Chairperson, Ann Towle, adds: “We strive to develop and enhance Rushcliffe Country Park and raising the Green Flag at the park for a 17th year means a lot to us. The park has 85 hectares of wildflower meadows, grassland, conservation and landscaped areas and a two hectare lake. Conservation work is a priority, and we know visitors love exploring and watching the diversity of wildlife at the park. Our door is always open to new volunteers, so if anyone would like to join and help to maintain the green flag status, please get in touch!”
You can contact the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park by emailing countrypark@rushcliffe.gov.uk, phoning 0115 921 5865 or on Facebook >>HERE<<.
Secondly, Sharphill Wood, on the north-eastern edge of Ruddington, has been awarded its very first Green Flag this year.
A popular walking destination for villagers, accessed off Landmere Lane via the A52 pedestrian underpass, this relatively new nature reserve (founded in 2010) is managed by a partnership comprising Rushcliffe Borough Council, The Friends of Sharphill Wood and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
The woodland is home to an array of local biodiversity and provides a valuable habitat for invertebrates, small mammals and birds – some of which have been displaced by recent Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 2 housing development nearby.
Friends of Sharphill Wood Secretary, Bill Logan, says: “We are very pleased to have this award in recognition of our Local Nature Reserve, the largest urban wood in the area, which the Friends have helped maintain for the benefit of the wildlife and the public since 2008. We hope this award will encourage others to join us at our regular work parties.”
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Senior Nature Recovery Officer, Ben Driver adds: “We have been advising on the site management and supporting the Friends group since their formation over 15 years ago. Sharphill Wood is a fantastic and well-loved nature reserve, one of the key Local Nature Reserves in the Borough. It is truly fantastic to have everyone’s hard work recognised through the Green Flag award.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, 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.
