Sidmouth has retained its ‘Green Flag’ status for parks and gardens despite the bad weather as it hopes to welcome more visitors to the town this summer.
The coveted national standard recognises the quality of floral displays and public open spaces, and councillors and gardeners were on hand to hoist the flag this week.
Around 1,400 sites across the country have been judged as meeting the strict criteria this year, which include being healthy, safe and secure as well as clean and well-maintained.
East Devon District Councillor (EDDC) portfolio holder for environment Iain Chubb, and Sidmouth councillor and vice chairman of EDDC Frances Newth, along with the Connaught Gardens head gardener and the head of EDDC’s StreetScene raised the Green Flag at Peak Cottage on Monday,
Cllr Newth said the council’s team work very hard to maintain places like Connaught Gardens.
She said: “Sidmouth is very fortunate to keep on retaining the status year after year, which is something to be really proud of.”
The councillor said there were concerns the poor early summer weather would put a dampener on Sidmouth’s floral displays, but the council’s gardening team have worked hard to make sure they remain of a high standard as East Devon starts to attract more tourists with the better weather.
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