Page 17 - City Life Magazine - Autumn 2022

www.worcester.gov.uk 17

PARK LIFE

Green Flag for cemetery

Worcester is greener than ever this year, with the news that no fewer

than FIVE City Council parks have been recognised as among the best
in the country, with the award of the Green Flag.

The outstanding grounds beehives to encourage
of Astwood Cemetery flora and fauna.
and Crematorium have
secured the prestigious Green Flags were also
award for the first time, awarded once again to
thanks to the hard work of Gheluvelt Park, Fort Royal
Worcester City Council’s Park, Cripplegate Park and
bereavement team. Riverside Park.

The grounds include The Green Flag award is
gardens of remembrance, the international quality
a garden of solace and mark for parks and green
a wreath terrace – not to spaces – which played
mention a natural burial a vital role for people
area, which is managed through the lockdowns as Pictured at Astwood Cemetery are (l to r): Cemetery groundsman
Andy Foxall; Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Adrian Gregson; cemetery
using techniques that places to relax, exercise groundsman Derrick Hooper; Cllr Karen Lewing, vice chair of the
promote wildflower growth and meet friends and Environment Committee; Doug Henderson, Bereavement Services
Business Development Manager
across the whole site. The family safely.
area also has bat boxes, the Green Flag award the teams which keep
bird boxes, mammal hides, The fact that five Worcester is testament to the hard Worcester’s green spaces
a solar-lit brook and even parks have achieved work and dedication of in tip-top condition.

100 years of Gheluvelt Park

was opened by the 1st Earl of Ypres, the riverside conservation area, which
Lord French, on 17 June 1922 and includes wildflower meadows.
has served as a memorial to all who
have fallen in subsequent conflicts. In recent years the park has secured
protected Fields in Trust status
Since then, the Worcestershire and has been awarded a Trip
Regimental Stone and the Advisor Certificate of Excellence in
Worcestershire and Sherwood recognition of the consistently strong
Foresters Regiment Memorial Bench reviews it receives.
have been added – and, in 2010, the
Gheluvelt Memorial.
This year is a special one for
Worcester’s popular Gheluvelt Park, AWARD-WINNING
marking its 100th anniversary. Gheluvelt Park is also the site of the
much-loved Splashpad where young
The centenary was marked with a families can enjoy water play in a
parade and service, followed by a safe and fun environment. In 2019,
family-friendly event to celebrate a new Sons of Rest pavilion opened,
the occasion. including more toilets, a snack kiosk
and a community meeting room.
Gheluvelt Park was created after the
Great War, and was named after the The park first gained a Green Flag
Battle of Gheluvelt in Belgium on award back in 2007 and has retained
31 October 1914, in honour of the the award every year since.
brave actions of the 2nd Battalion The Gheluvelt has two distinct areas, the
Worcestershire Regiment. The park Victorian-style ornamental park and

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