North Devon does the Green Flag double once again

North Devon Council has retained the prestigious Green Flag Award for two of its green spaces.

Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe and Yeo Valley Woodland in Barnstaple have both achieved the accolade for 2023.

The Green Flag is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and the council says it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.

Bicclescombe Park has achieved Green Flag status for the 19th year in a row, with Yeo Valley Woodland retaining the award for the 12th time.

Both spaces are owned and managed by North Devon Council, with the help of active community groups including the Friends of Yeo Valley Woodland and the Bicclescombe Park User Group.

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Ian Roome said: “Through unwavering dedication and tireless efforts from our parks team and from community groups, I am proud to share that we have achieved the Green Flag status again.

“To achieve this status again in both Yeo Valley Woodland and Bicclecombe Park is a testament to everyone’s dedication and hard work to these green spaces. I'd like to say a big thank you and well done to all involved."

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at both Bicclescombe Park and at Yeo Valley Woodland in achieving these Green Flag Awards.

“Bicclescombe Park and Yeo Valley Woodland are vital green spaces for the community in North Devon, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.

“The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.