Today (Tuesday 15 July), Shropshire Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for both Severn Valley Country Park in Alveley and The Mere at Ellesmere.
The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, and is awarded in testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.
A Green Flag Community Award was given to Stanmore Country Park to recognise 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.
Severn Valley Country Park
James Owen, Cabinet member for housing and leisure, said:
“Awards such as this just goes to show the hard work and effort that goes into maintaining our country parks by the amazing staff and volunteers involved, and they should be immensely proud of themselves.
“As perfect examples of the many beautiful areas across our county, the Council wishes to pass along our thanks and congratulations to everyone involved.
“I really would recommend all residents, especially with the summer holidays on the way, consider visiting some of our beautiful outdoor spaces such as these as a fun, free and healthy day out.”
The Mere, Ellesmere
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in The Mere and Severn Valley Country Park who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like these make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, The Severn Valley Country Park and The Mere are vital green spaces for communities in Shropshire 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 scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.
Further information
The Green Flag Award Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Any green space that is freely 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.
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We set the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and live more sustainably. We run campaigns and programmes including the Great British Spring Clean, Eco-Schools, Love Parks Week (25th July – 3rd August 2025), Buy Nothing New Month, Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces, the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches and blue spaces, and the Green Key for sustainable tourism and hospitality. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our campaigns and programmes visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.
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