Four Bedford parks receive Green Flag Award

Four parks in Bedford Borough have received this year’s prestigious Green Flag Award.

Bedford Park, Addison Howard Park, Priory Country Park and Harrold-Odell Country Park have all received this year’s Green Flag Award.

This announcement marks the 19th year in a row that Priory Country Park has won the award.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Mowsbury Hillfort and the Hill Rise Nature Reserve, two of Bedford Borough’s volunteer-managed sites, have also received the Green Flag Community Award for a third year in a row.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “In Bedford Borough, we are very proud of our parks and open spaces. We’re fortunate to have such high-quality spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“Our parks and open spaces have been even more important this year with more residents using them during the COVID-19 pandemic for exercise, meeting family and friends in small groups and enjoying the peaceful settings.

“Year on year our parks receive this esteemed award, which we owe to the staff and volunteers who work so hard to maintain the natural beauty of these space.”

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Bedford Borough has achieved the highest international standards.”

If you would are interested in volunteering in one of the council’s parks and green spaces, visit www.bedford.gov.uk/volunteering or sign up to the Community Volunteering email bulletin.