Solihull leads the way with the highest number of Green Flag Awards in the region with Widney Manor Cemetery among the latest to obtain the accolade.
The prestigious annual Award recognises some of the best green spaces in the UK and sets the benchmark for quality, well-maintained parks and open spaces.
Widney Manor Cemetery – which is maintained by environmental contractor Veolia – met a rigorous scoring criteria assessing everything from being clean and accessible, to biodiversity and sustainable management. Blythe Valley Park – which is maintained by Whiting Landscape Ltd – also received the award this year.
Alongside the two new awards, all existing Green Flag sites in the borough have also retained their awards, meaning Solihull now has 21 Green Flag sites – the highest number in the West Midlands.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Cllr Ken Hawkins, said:
“We are rightly proud of our green spaces and for Solihull to obtain its 21st award is very special and testament to the hard work of our dedicated Council staff, partners at Veolia, and our local volunteers and organisations who work hard all-year-round to ensure they are safe, welcoming and beautiful places to visit.
“The award for Widney Manor Cemetery in particular means all three of our cemeteries have obtained Green Flag status, ensuring they provide a peaceful place for residents and visitors to reflect on and remember the time spent with their loved ones.”
Sue Cummine, Senior Contract Manager at Veolia Solihull, said:
"This award reflects our commitment to excellence in caring for Solihull's parks and green spaces. Through our dedicated grounds maintenance service with Solihull Council, we take pride in maintaining the community's cherished spaces, keeping sites like Widney Manor Cemetery beautiful and accessible for residents to visit."
The Green Flag Award, which is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, is celebrating its 30th year this year. A record breaking 2,391 sites in the UK have achieved the award this year. The 21 Green Flag sites in Solihull are:
- Babb's Mill Recreation Ground & Local Nature Reserve
- Bentley Heath Recreation Ground
- Blythe Valley Park
- Castle Bromwich Historic Parkland
- Damson Lane Park
- Dickens Heath Allotment
- Dorridge Park & Wood
- Elmdon Park
- Hillfield Park & Local Nature Reserve
- Hope Coppice
- Knowle Park
- Lavender Hall Park
- Malvern and Brueton Park
- Meriden Park
- Olton Jubilee Park
- Palmers Rough Recreation Ground
- Robin Hood Cemetery
- Shirley Park
- Tudor Grange Park
- Widney Manor Cemetery
- Woodlands Cemetery