Williamson Park and Torrisholme Cemetery raise the Green Flag
Lancaster's Williamson Park and Torrisholme Cemetery in Morecambe have received a prestigious award that celebrates the best parks and open spaces in the country.
Lancaster's Williamson Park and Torrisholme Cemetery in Morecambe have received a prestigious award that celebrates the best parks and open spaces in the country.
The cemetery and park have each been awarded a Green Flag by the Civic Trust.
A Green Flag Award rewards standards of excellence in a public green space such as a cemetery or park.
It is the first time that Torrisholme Cemetery has received the award and it marks the culmination of years of hard work by Lancaster City Council and the Friends of Torrisholme Cemetery.
Approximately 100 burials a year are carried out at the cemetery and it is regularly visited by relatives and the general public.
The grounds have been developed to meet the Green Flag criteria of a well managed and welcoming site that aims to conserve its heritage and improve biodiversity.
Recent achievements include:
* New heritage and woodland burial walks
* Wildflower areas
* Habitat areas for wildlife and insects
* Ongoing improvements to buildings, paths and fences
Coun David Kerr, cabinet member for environmental health, said: “I would like to congratulate all the cemeteries staff and members of the Friends Group for all their hard work over the last two years, along with the councillors who made up the Cemeteries Task Group, that were the catalyst for the cemetery improvements that made this award possible."
While Torrisholme Cemetery has received its first Green Flag, Williamson Park is celebrating its third in a row.
Since Williamson Park Ltd took control of the park it has created a dedicated gardening team which works to an approved horticultural management plan.
It is their passion that is driving forward improvements in a way not seen in recent years. Williamson Park is also grateful to its volunteer helpers who have helped the gardening team throughout the year.
Coun Eileen Blamire, chairman of the Williamson Park management board, said: “I am delighted that Williamson Park can fly the Green Flag once again.
“There has been much discussion about the declining quality of our city parks and the lack of focus upon rural green spaces.
“While this is undoubtedly a cause for concern in many places, Williamson Park is a thriving example of a popular park that is showing the way forward.”
Date Updated: 19/03/09