Do you head for the quiet of the Abbey Gardens each lunchtime, relish watching the wildlife at East Town Park or enjoy family walks in Nowton Park?
If so, then your nomination could help one of the parks and gardens run by St Edmundsbury Borough Council scoop a national award.
The Britain’s Best Parks competition has been designed to celebrate the country’s well-tended public open spaces. Last year, the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds was one of 10 finalists and it is hoped one of the borough’s green spaces could clinch top spot in the 2006 contest.
The organisers are asking the public to say what makes their favourite park special, as well as commenting on its facilities, overall maintenance and how it encourages community use.
Cllr Paul Farmer, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture, said:
“St Edmundsbury has a proud tradition of providing excellent parks and gardens. East Town Park in Haverhill and Nowton Park and the Abbey Gardens in Bury are each very different but could all be worthy winners.
“It would be fantastic if one of our parks was recognised with a national award and I would encourage people to support the green spaces for which the borough has become renowned.”
Nominations can be made by going to the Parks and Gardens section of the St Edmundsbury website (www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk) where there is a link to an entry form on the competition site.
Alternatively, visit www.britainsbestparks.co.uk to nominate your favourite or send your entry to Charlotte Turk at Britain’s Best Parks, PO Box 513, Derby, DE1 9NW.
The deadline for nominations is 2 June and the top prize is £3,000 in lawn maintenance equipment from manufacturers Briggs and Stratton. The winner will also go forward to Europe’s Best Parks competition.
ENDS
Note to Editors -
The Abbey Gardens has helped put Bury on the map in various “in bloom” competitions over the last 20 years. As well as winning the best national bedding display award in 1995, its floral creations have helped the town to become a six-time winner in Anglia in Bloom and a finalist in Britain in Bloom six times, as well as overall winner in the large town category in 1988. The Abbey Gardens cater for people of all ages and tastes, providing facilities such as a sensory garden, play area and aviary, along with the world’s first internet bench.
East Town Park in Haverhill boasts almost 50 acres of meadows and trees which prove a haven for wildlife. Muntjac deer, water voles and kingfishers have all been spotted at the site, while the Countryside Centre, children’s playground and picnic area all prove popular.
Nowton Park in Bury stretches across 200 acres and is perhaps most famous for its avenue of 120 foot high lime trees and the 100,000 daffodils which bloom each spring. Sporting facilities, a maze using two miles of hedging and a wildflower meadow are among the facilities on offer.
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
