Dukes Meadows Retains Green Flag Award

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Trust and its volunteers win praise for commitment

Dukes Meadows Trust and its volunteers are celebrating after hearing that the park has retained its Green Flag.

The Green Flag judges recognised the Trust's role in securing the award saying; "Dukes Meadows trust is extremely active on the site for a number of years and has led on the regeneration of the park raising over £1 million to create two high quality play area, one of which they manage. They also assist in the management of a number of different elements of Dukes Meadows."

Carol Beauchamp, pictured, has been a member of the trust from the start 18 years ago. She volunteers regularly with the trust, as well as being a trustee and said; "It has been a great achievement to turn the park from the sad and derelict state it was in 18 years ago, to the lovely park it is today. I feel very proud every time I come here and see all the people enjoying the pool and play area and visiting the market.

"It is a busy, happy place now compared to the sad and lonely place it used to be. It was hard work on Sunday cutting back the hedge along Riverside Drive in the heat, but I love being involved, we have a lovely crowd of people, so it's great fun and we usually have a drink in the Bowls Club after volunteering."

The Trust continues to make improvements to the park and this year renovated the back of the Bowls Green Pavilion to create a new entrance and revamped the kiosk by the pool. Last year the trust improved the entrance to the park at Riverside Drive with wooden bollards and a new Avenue of Hawthorn trees.

Volunteers go out every two weeks on a Sunday to maintain the trees, hedges and shrubs the trust has planted including all the landscaping in the play area. the trust is solely responsible for management and maintenance of the paddling pool on which it holds a lease.

The site hosts a popular water play area, a farmer's market and art studios.

July 17, 2018