Billy’s Lane Allotments celebrates as green space wins Green Flag Award
Record-breaking year as more than 2,000 green spaces across the country get international quality mark
Today, parks and green spaces across the country will be raising their Green Flag Award with pride in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep.
Among them will be Cheadle Hulme Garden and Allotment Association on Billy’s Lane, Cheadle Hulme, which is raising a Green Flag Award for the second time.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Billy’s Lane is one of more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.
Barbara Heyes, Chair of the Association, said “This is a tremendous achievement on behalf of all our plot-holders and a much-needed boost to our spirits in this challenging year. We count ourselves very fortunate to have this wonderful and greatly-valued green space in Cheadle Hulme.”
Commenting on Billy’s Lane’s success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges, Billy’s Lane Allotment has achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
Any green space that is free to enter and accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.
