Newark and Sherwood flies the flag with four of the country’s best parks

The award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year and has recognised a record number of 2127 sites in 2021.

Newark Castle and Gardens has also achieved the much coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that these local landmarks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make these green spaces a great environment for everyone to enjoy.

Councillor Roger Jackson, Chairman of the Leisure and Environment Committee at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “To win this prestigious award at all four sites we put forward is fantastic and is a celebration of the true team effort that goes into maintaining these spaces for our residents. From our own Park Rangers, Grounds Maintenance staff, Asset Management team and site managers to the incredible groups of Friends and volunteers whose passion for the parks is palpable, each is vital in preserving the quality of our award-winning spaces.”

Christine Hinton is Secretary of the Friends of Sconce and Devon Park and said: “We are delighted to hear that once again the park has been awarded the Green Flag. During the last trying 18 months the park has been a wonderful area for the community to enjoy. The Friends are all passionate about the park and hope it will continue to keep its award winning standard".

Alan Kemp has been a volunteer at Vicar Water Country Park for 6 years and said: “I’m really pleased that the park has retained the Green Flag Award as it’s a pleasure for Jason [another volunteer] and I to come to the park each week to help out. We both love the exercise and we take great pride in the park and how it helps with our sense of wellbeing”.

Flags will be raised at all four sites over the next few weeks and a plaque will be on display at Newark Castle’s main entrance from Monday 18 October.

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.

To find out more about the award, and find the full list of winning parks and gardens, visit greenflagaward.org.