The borough’s award-winning public gardens are in the spotlight this week having been acknowledged by Keep Britain Tidy for being among the finest in Britain.
Portland’s Easton Gardens and Weymouth’s Sandsfoot and Greenhill Gardens have all maintained the high standards needed to win the prestigious Green Flag awards for another year.
The three award-winning gardens are maintained by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s parks and gardens staff along with the help of community groups.
Greenhill Gardens was first to win the award back in 2006 and this was closely followed by Easton Gardens in 2007. Sandsfoot Gardens celebrated the opening of the castle and attained Green Flag status in 2012.
Cllr Andy Blackwood, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Community Facilities Briefholder, said:
“It’s an amazing achievement to win these awards once again and is testament to the hard work of the parks and gardens’ team and community volunteers.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of Greenhill Gardens, Easton Community Group and the Friends of Rodwell Trail and Sandsfoot Gardens for their continued efforts to ensure that these places remain a fantastic place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The awards, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognise and reward the best parks, gardens and green spaces across the country.
Trevor Collins, Chair of Friends of Greenhill Gardens added:
“We would like to congratulate the Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s parks and gardens staff on achieving the prestigious Green Flag for the ninth year running for Greenhill Gardens.
“It is a pleasure for the Friends of Greenhill Gardens to run events in the gardens raising funds to enable projects such as the building of the community bandstand to enhance the beauty of the plants and flowers.”
All three gardens benefit from great facilities and are well worth a visit. Easton Gardens has mature trees, a play area and toilets; Greenhill Gardens by Weymouth seafront has a putting green, bowling green, tennis courts, cafes and toilets and Sandsfoot Gardens has a café, toilets and the remains of a Tudor castle in its grounds.