 The
Green Flag award recognises the best parks in the country and
both Wellington Park and Vivary Park can celebrate their
success as both achieved the coveted Green Flag status. This
is the second year running for Wellington Park but it is the
first time Vivary Park has achieved Green Flag status.
Wellington Park has added cause for celebration as it has been
awarded a Green Heritage Site Accreditation, an award that is
sponsored by the English Heritage and recognises parks that
are of particular heritage interest.
The Green Flag awards are run on an annual
basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green
Flags. This year 253 parks across England and Wales have met
the Green Flag standard. The award reflects the high standard
of park management as there are eight criteria which Green
Flag Award judges assess – a welcoming place, healthy, safe
and secure, well maintained and clean, sustainability,
conservation and heritage, community involvement, marketing
and management.
The judges recognised that both Wellington
and Vivary are important urban parks that command a great deal
of loyalty amongst the local community. In winter they are
peaceful locations for families and people out walking and
both hold lively events throughout summer.
Grade II listed Wellington Park, is one of
only seven sites to be accorded the Heritage Site
Accreditation. The park was designed by the renowned landscape
gardener, ‘Meyer’ and deemed by the judges to be an excellent
example of an Edwardian park. The restoration of the park in
2000 resulted in many of the original features being preserved
and visitors can walk under a tree-lined avenue, as did
visitors to the park a hundred years ago.
 Taunton
Civic Society members, Fran Pitt and Andrew Knutt, attended
the awards and was very impressed with the Deane's efforts in
hosting the event. In fact, it was said on the day that it was
the largest event the Civic Trust has hosted with over 300
guest all from the South of England. We also noted the
excellent services and cuisine that Wellsprings Sports Centre
had provided. Our hat goes off to them.
 Whilst
new friends were made at the well dressed tables and amid the
wonderful floral displays TDBC put on, the event finished
early afternoon, as guest were invited to take a coach to
Vivary Park to see the Green Flag raised and to take a tour of
the park. So our members followed suit and finished the day
appreciating the very green space that had won an award for
our town.
On behalf on the Civic Society we would
just like to say thank you and well done to all those that
have made this possible and we hope that the Green Flag award
will be held by Vivary Park for many years to come. |
Vivary
& Wellington Awarded Green Flag Status