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Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy today (Tuesday, July 18th, 2023) revealed the 280 sites across Wales which have received the internationally renowned Green Flag and Green Flag Community Awards including many in Neath Port Talbot.

This means the council’s parks have met high quality standards across categories including environmental efforts, excellent visitor facilities and community involvement.

This is all thanks to a great team effort by our dedicated staff and passionate volunteers from our local communities. 

This year, the flags will be flying high again at the Talbot Memorial Park, Victoria Gardens, Margam Country Park and Gnoll Estate Country Park. 

We hope our visitors enjoy our award-winning sites and love our parks as much as we do.  

Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “We are pleased to be working with Keep Wales Tidy and volunteers across the county borough to protect our park environments for now and for the future. The benefits our parks and green spaces bring to people’s lives are immense, as any of our volunteers will tell you.” 

Mark Protheroe, Chairman of the Friends of Gnoll Park added: “We are delighted our parks in Neath Port Talbot are once again able to fly the coveted Green Flag Award.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful, unique, and historic parks in our locality.

“We have a number of dedicated local community volunteer Friends Groups who meet regularly to hold volunteer working parties, events and work on various projects within our parks and green spaces. 

“These groups are always happy to welcome new volunteers – for information on joining a group, please contact NPT Neighbourhood Services.“

Also in Neath Port Talbot, Community Green Flag Awards have gone to: Amman Valley Trotting Club, Cilybebyll Community Growers, Cwmafan Community Orchards, Glantawe Riverside Park (Pontardawe), The Friends of Neath Abbey Iron Company, Vivian Park Nature Garden and The Lane Community Garden.

Now in its third decade, the Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries around the world.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator for Keep Wales Tidy said:

“Free access to safe, high quality green space has never been more important. Our award-winning sites play a vital role in people’s mental and physical well-being, providing a haven for communities to come together, relax and enjoy nature.

“News that 280 parks and green spaces in Wales have achieved Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work of hundreds of staff and volunteers. We’re delighted to be able to celebrate their success on the world stage.”

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru