14th Eastleigh Scout Group Community Garden wins National award for excellence
The 14th Eastleigh Scout Group Community Garden has won a prestigious Green Pennant award for the third year in succession.
A record 73 green spaces have been rewarded with a Green Pennant, the highest national accolade for sites managed by voluntary and community groups.
This year’s winners were announced from Green Flag Award-winning Bellingham Green, in an area of Lewisham highlighted by government as a transformed area of regeneration, demonstrating how residents working together with public agencies can transform deprived neighbourhoods. The Green is vibrant, lively and has significantly improved the livelihood and well-being of the local community
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Parliamentary under Secretary of State, Baroness Andrews said:
“I would like to congratulate all those whose hard work has resulted in this year’s green flag winners. In our busy modern lives, parks and green spaces are invaluable as areas where young and old can come together to relax, exercise and play. ”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme Application Manager, said: “The increasing number of Green Pennant Award winners highlight the important role they play in bringing people together and improving their quality of life. Congratulations to all those volunteers who’s hard work and dedication has brought this award of excellence”.
Project co-ordinator Ian West said “winning this award for the third year running is a testament to the continued hard work put in by the young people and volunteers from the Group. The garden is part of our long term commitment to work with the local community to improve the area around the scout Headquarters for the benefit of all.”
The Garden was built 3 years ago by volunteers and young people from the Group who have continued to maintain the garden to a high standard for the benefit of the whole community. As well as being a relaxing place to sit, the garden is a haven for wildlife, featuring native trees, wildflower meadow, insect beneficial plants and a bat box. The garden is also of great benefit to the environment with plants being grown organically and compost being made.