Double accolade for town parks

Hinckley's Argents Mead has won its first Green Flag Award - a prestigious accolade that is only awarded to the very best parks and green spaces in the UK.

The award is recognition of the Borough Council's substantial investment in the town centre park over the past 18 months, with the opening of the new leisure centre followed by the creation of a new children's play area and the more recent restoration of the fountain feature in the moat.

And in a double celebration for the town, Hollycroft Park has also won a Green Flag - the eighth time that Hollycroft's environmental excellence has been acknowledged by the scheme.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Councillor Mark Nickerson, the council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Ever since being elected, I have pressed the Neighbourhood Services team to have both the Hollycroft stream and Argents Mead fountain restored to their former glory, and so these two awards are just the icing on the cake. Well done to the team."

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said:

We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. 

Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.