Yeovil Country Park has been awarded a ‘Pride in Parks’ five star award from the Royal Horticultural Society’s South West in Bloom.
The award was presented to Yeovil Town Mayor David Recardo, on behalf of the Country Park team at the South West in Bloom Pride in Parks seminar in February. The award was shared with the Country Park team last week.
A judge from South West in Bloom visited Yeovil Country Park at the beginning of August 2018 and met with the Friends of Yeovil Country Park and the ranger team from South Somerset District Council.
The judges were impressed by the relationship between the Friends group and the rangers and how the wider community involvement ensures that the country park is managed to reach the RHS’s judging criteria.
Yeovil Country Park achieved the five star award by showing excellent community involvement through events, volunteering opportunities and the use of social media, as well as excellent grounds maintenance with effective habitat management for wildlife conservation and appropriate grounds maintenance.
This is the third time that Yeovil Country Park has received this award. Countryside Ranger Kristy Davies said: “A big thank you to the Friends of Yeovil Country Park for applying for the Pride in Parks award and to the many volunteers that offer their free time to assist the Countryside team in keeping Yeovil Country Park to the desired high standard that we are all so proud of. It is lovely for all involved to receive this award for another year running, we are over the moon that the passion and dedication shown over the year has been awarded with the highest mark achievable of five stars.’’
Gary Cashmore, Chairman of the Friends of Yeovil Country Park said “Yet again for the park to be awarded the Pride in Parks five star award signifies the continued high level of maintenance and presentation of the park. It rewards everyone for all their hard work and it is justly deserved. It just goes to show how Yeovil Country Park continues to evolve for the benefit of the environment, wildlife and the community, we all feel very proud to achieve this high standard.”
Councillor Sylvia Seal, portfolio holder for Leisure and Culture at South Somerset District Council, added: “Yeovil Country Park is a fantastic place to visit and enjoy and this is possible thanks to the hard work that the Rangers do, along with the Friends of Yeovil Country Park. I’m immensely proud that the award has been won once again.”
The rangers, volunteers and Friends of Yeovil Country Park work incredibly hard to maintain a high standard at the Country Park and are very proud of the 5 star ‘Pride in Parks’ award they have achieved once again for the year of 2018.