Parc Bryn Bach has once again been recognised with the prestigious, internationally renowned Green Flag Award, in recognition of the environmental efforts, community involvement and visitor facilities at the park.

This year, we join a record number of 2,227 sites across the UK that have achieved the Green Flag Award - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Steve Hughes, facility manager at Parc Bryn Bach said: “The team is delighted that their efforts have been acknowledged.  They work hard to make this much-loved local nature reserve as welcoming and vibrant as possible.

“The grounds team work closely with the biodiversity team in Blaenau Gwent and volunteers and have been nurturing, developing and maintaining different areas of the park to make it more enjoyable for visitors.

“In addition to our now-mature sensory garden, we’ve installed a new sculpture trail where you can find out about the amazing fauna in the park and we’re looking to develop so many other areas to really engage the local community and visitors from outside the area.”

Congratulating this year’s winners, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Prioritising parks and green spaces is vital for our future, so we are delighted to see that 2,227 sites have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these important national assets.

“We know beyond doubt that our local environment contributes to the wellbeing of individuals and communities , with our parks and green spaces recognised as areas where people can come together and be active. Research shows that time spent in green spaces can positively affect mental and physical health, quality of life and a sense of wellbeing.”

“We believe the standards expected in the Green Flag Award should be a minimum for every park, and it is our ambition that by 2030 we increase the number of sites achieving Green Flag Award status even further so that people across the world, wherever they live, can access and enjoy safe, high-quality green space.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Keep Scotland Beautiful under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

For more information about the Green Flag Award in Wales visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru/greenflag