Calne Town Council is celebrating a double success after both Castlefields Park and Curzon Street Cemetery were awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards — the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
The recognition places the two sites among just 2,250 parks across the UK to meet the high standards set by Keep Britain Tidy under the Green Flag Award scheme. For Castlefields Park, this achievement came at the first time of asking - a result credited to the joint efforts of Calne Town Council and the dedicated volunteers of CARP (Castlefields Canal and River Park Association).
“This is a fantastic endorsement of the hard work and commitment shown by our staff and volunteers,” said Robert Mercer, Calne Town Council’s Amenities Conservation & Sustainability Manager, pictured at the award presentation alongside CARP Secretary Julie Wakeham, retiring Chair Denis Robinson, and Trustee Sue Court.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, offered his congratulations: “Quality parks and green spaces like Castlefields Park and Curzon Street Cemetery make the country a healthier place to live and work, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, Castlefields Park and Curzon Street Cemetery is a vital green space for communities in Calne to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
The Green Flag Award recognises well-managed green spaces that are open and accessible to the public, with an emphasis on environmental standards, maintenance, community involvement, and sustainability.
This week also marks a significant moment for CARP, as three of its founding members—Denis Robinson, Dee Robinson, and Tim Preece—step down as trustees after more than two decades of service. Denis, who served as Chair for over 20 years, and Tim, who held both Secretary and Treasurer roles, have been instrumental in shaping Castlefields into the beloved space it is today.
CARP credits their vision and commitment for many of the park’s well-loved features, including the restored lock and the iconic Arfur Boat. The community has wished them well in their retirement but expects to see them enjoying the park they helped transform.
The awards come just ahead of Love Parks Week, running from 25th July to 3rd August, a national celebration of green spaces and the people who care for them.
For more about the Green Flag Award scheme, visit: www.greenflagaward.org
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