More Green Flag Awards For Sussex Parks And Beaches

Flags are flying across Rother after five popular spots gained national recognition, while one park in Crawley has now kept its flag for 14 consecutive years.

Egerton Park in Bexhill has been awarded a Green Flag, whilst beaches at Camber Sands, Bexhill, Normans Bay and Winchelsea have been given a Seaside Award.

The Keep Britian Tidy accolades are awarded to spaces that are well-managed and of a high quality.

Cllr Hazel Timpe, Rother District Council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and tourism, said:

“These awards are recognition of all the hard work that goes in to managing and maintaining our parks and beaches in the face of a challenging climate environment.

“We are extremely grateful to our officers, contractors and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our district looking as good as possible despite the lack of government funding and the cutbacks the council is having to make to balance the budget.

Photo: Egerton Park

“We know how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world, and I hope these awards will encourage people to visit our district this summer and enjoy all that Rother has to offer.”

Egerton Park was awarded the Green Flag for the 12^th consecutive year after impressing with its 'high environmental standards, first-class maintenance and range of facilities' including a children’s play area, refreshment kiosk, newly refurbished tennis courts, a sensory garden maintained by Bexhill in Bloom volunteers, an outdoor gym and space for other activities and relaxation.

The award was one of 2,227 given to parks and green spaces across the UK this year and comes shortly after the opening of a new Changing Places Toilet – fully accessible toilet with equipment such as an adult-sized changing bench, a hoist, privacy screen and space for carers.

The Seaside Award, given to four of the district’s beaches, recognises the best beaches in the country and is a sign of an attractive and well-managed coastal area.

Camber, Bexhill, Winchelsea and Normans Bay are four of 136 beaches in England to receive the Seaside Award this year.

Meanwhile Buchan Country Park, nestled in 170 acres of picturesque countryside just a stone's throw from Crawley, has once again been awarded the Green Flag, making it the park's 14th consecutive win. The accolade underlines the park's 'unique blend of natural beauty and artistic expression. With its scenic walking trails, diverse wildlife, and captivating sculptures, the park offers a truly immersive experience for all visitors'.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Buchan County Park on achieving another Green Flag Award. Buchan Country Park is a vital green space for communities in Crawley to socialise and enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.  It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

Cllr Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, highlighted the park's role in environmental conservation. She said,

"The Green Flag Award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental conservation. The ranger staff at Buchan Country Park, along with our dedicated volunteers, play a crucial role in maintaining the park's ecological balance for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. I congratulate everyone involved in this achievement. Our efforts to maintain our parks to a high standard align with our council's priority of providing spaces that promote community health and well-being."