Carmountside Cemetery and Crematorium, Burslem Cemetery and Fenton Cemetery have all been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for their floral displays, horticulture and green spaces. Carmountside has been awarded a Green Flag for the fourth year in succession, while Fenton and Burslem have been given the award for the third year in a row.

Park Hall Country Park (pictured), which contains the city’s only National Nature Reserve, has picked up the award for the first time. The park has achieved recognition for the high standard of maintenance of its wildlife habitats, the provision of leisure and recreational facilities, and the active involvement of the local community in site management.

The Green Flag Award scheme is the national benchmark for parks and green spaces. It was launched in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the United Kingdom.

Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status.

The award means these cemeteries and the park will be able to fly their Green Flags to show the high standard they have achieved over the past 12 months.

The Green Flag at Parkhall will be raised on Tuesday 26th July at 10:00am by volunteers, and the Green Flag at Carmountside will be raised by Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Follows at 3.00pm.

Councillor Gwen Hassall, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “To receive the award for the third and fourth years running is great credit to the staff at the three cemeteries.

“Carmountside, Fenton and Burslem all provide calm surrounds for people to reflect, and that is in no small part due to the work done in maintaining the grounds.”

Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for city services, added: “Our environmental staff that work at Park Hall take great pride in their work, and it’s fitting that they are recognised for what they have achieved. The Green Flag Award is a hallmark in quality and we are proud to have achieved that status for the park.”

Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Follows added: “All three of these cemeteries and Park Hall Country Park maintain a high standard when it comes to their appearance and the cleanliness.

“The Green Flags also reward the diligence of our staff who work hard throughout the year to make sure that the cemeteries and the park provide a comforting and colourful appearance to everyone who visits them.”

“The Green Flag awards are something that we should all be proud of.”

Photograph © Copyright Phil Eptlett and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.