A Community Garden and oasis for wildlife, in Edgbaston, has been recognised as one of the best community run green spaces in the country by winning a prestigious Green Flag Community Award yesterday, for the fourth year in a row.
To celebrate the good news, Martineau Gardens are inviting visitors and volunteers to drop in for a cuppa today, Tuesday 30 July at 12.30noon, to watch official flag unfurled beside the Pirate Shipwreck Play Area.
Martineau Gardens is among a record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces that are receiving the award. The Green Flag Community Awards (part of the Green Flag Award scheme) is a national award handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Martineau Gardens stood out after impressing the inspector. The Gardens were judged against eight criteria: a welcoming place; healthy safe and secure; clean and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage; community involvement; marketing and management.
The Community Garden though only two miles from Birmingham city centre is a green oasis that is teeming with wildlife. There’s plenty for visitors to explore including woodland, glass houses, a formal garden, an orchard, vegetable plots, a wildflower meadow, a pond, a wildlife area with SLINC status and a ‘Shipwreck’ children’s play area. The Gardens also run an annual events programme and sell plants, produce and jams.
Caroline Hutton, Director, Martineau Gardens said: “Martineau Gardens are a community-run garden that’s open for free to the public. This award is a tribute to the dedication of our volunteers who work hard to keep the gardens a beautiful and tranquil spot for Birmingham people to come and relax in.”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said: “Quality green spaces are absolutely essential to happy, healthy communities. They are fundamental to our quality of life.”
Martineau Gardens are open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm and are free entry. The Gardens are at 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG. Located five minutes from the MAC and opposite the Priory Hospital. Information at www.martineau-gardens.org.uk or by calling 0121 440 7430.
