Eight Rochdale Borough Parks Named As Some of the Best in Britain

Rochdale Borough Council has extra reason to celebrate the great outdoors during Love Parks Week (25 July-8 August) after eight of its parks were awarded prestigious Green Flag status.

So it’s time to dig out picnic blankets, frisbees and footballs and head down to Truffet Park in Langley, Boarshaw/Middleton Cemetery, Queen’s Park in Heywood, Rochdale town centre parks including Broadfield Park, Packer Spout and Rochdale Memorial Gardens, Hare Hill Park in Littleborough and Milnrow Memorial Park as they are named among a record-breaking 1,476 parks and green spaces that received a prestigious Green Flag Award today (Monday, July 28).

The award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet member for Housing and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for eight of our parks from Keep Britain Tidy and I’d like to say a big thank you to all the Friends’ groups, volunteers and dedicated staff for all their hard work.”

“This Award recognises and highlights that people in Rochdale borough are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.”

Chair of Heywood’s Friends of Queens Park Walter Lomax said: “The awarding of the green flag should be put down to the dedicated work of the gardeners and other parks staff in these trying financial times.”

David Nelson, Chair of Friends of Boarshaw Cemetery in Middleton, which meets every six weeks and can be contacted through its website www.friendsofboarshawcemetery.weebly.com, said: “Well done everybody. The Friends was formed six years ago and along with the Council has achieved the honour of Green Flag status for the past five years.”

Neta Smart, Chair of the Friends of Broadfield Park in Rochdale, said: “We are delighted that yet again, along with Packer Spout and The Memorial Gardens, we have received the Green Flag award. This is particularly pleasing in view of the national budget cuts all councils are experiencing. We hope this will encourage more people to visit our lovely town centre park.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces.

“A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for all the parks managers, staff and volunteers who, through their dedication and hard work, have helped to create these fantastic places for everyone to enjoy.

“Quality green spaces are a vital resource for communities and that is why it is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”