Winsford Gardens, under the careful management of Penge Green Gym, is celebrating after receiving a Special Award for Innovation from the Green Flag Award Scheme.
Winsford Gardens in Penge, south east London is one of just fifteen inspirational parks and green spaces in the UK to achieve the award, which is presented to Green Flag Award or Community Award winning sites that have made changes which have brought outstanding benefits to both their site and the local community.
Penge Green Gym community group (also known as the Friends of Winsford Gardens) is a group of local volunteers who, since 2011, have been working tirelessly to transform this rather neglected and unloved open space into a vibrant park. By undertaking a number of projects aimed at conserving and improving Winsford Gardens, the group has created a welcoming open air resource for the local community and for wildlife. Projects aimed at creating a better environment and improving biodiversity have included turning a disused concrete pond system into a vibrant bog garden which attracts insects and amphibians, and creating a series of raised beds planted-up with herbs and seasonal vegetables.
And now, to receive this national recognition for our work is really the icing on the cake!
Brenda Little, Chair of the Penge Green Gym Community Group
Following the Green Flag Award judges visit to Winsford Gardens, Brenda Little, Chair of the Penge Green Gym Community Group said “ we’re thrilled to learn that we’ve been recognised by this national scheme through their special award for Innovation. Here in Penge we’ve got a very resilient group of volunteers who really care about their local environment and turn-up each week, come rain or shine, to work in the gardens. Local residents who are increasingly using the gardens for recreational purposes are quick to complement us on the unstinting work we’re doing to transform the gardens. And now, to receive this national recognition for our work is really the icing on the cake!”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme manager said: “Congratulations to everyone involved, a worthy winner of the Special Innovation Award. Research has proved that quality parks and green spaces play a vital role within their local communities. Winsford Gardens is a perfect example of this.”