Saltburn Valley has won a top award today. Parks Minister Baroness Andrews has announced the site has made a successful first application to be granted a Green Flag Award, the national standard for parks and green spaces, now in its tenth year. Saltburn Valley Gardens have been in existence since 1862 - when people had to pay to get in. Today the Council-run facility is free to enter. The Valley spreads over 80 hectares and currently includes a Visitor Centre and the Italian Gardens as well as informal parkland, mature woodland and meadow and grass land. The award has been made possible thanks to the Countryside Team, the Friends of the Valley and volunteers, who carry out a range of environmental tasks throughout the year. The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "I'm delighted - it's yet another accolade for Saltburn and underlines what a marvellous visitor attraction the town has become. It also shows our commitment to delivering quality greenspace for both the residents and visitors to the area." Saltburn Valley countryside warden Neil Thirkell, who has welcomed over 500 children in school trips during the current summer term, said: "I want to pay tribute to all our volunteers, without them I don't think we'd have won this award."The Valley will be part of the nationwide 'Take To Your Local Park Week', starting on Saturday, July 29 and plans are already being drawn up for ' the Pageant of Light' , a major event to mark the end of British Summer Time on Sunday, October 29.
No comments:
Post a Comment