Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens gets Green Flag award for 19th year in a row

Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens has won a Green Flag award for the 19th year in a row.

The award, given by charity Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of a government department, is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

It has also been given to Peak Hill slope in Sidmouth.

A spokesperson for East Devon District Council said: "The awards are the result of the hard work of EDDC StreetScene and Countryside teams, with valuable help from 'in bloom' groups and the many volunteers. 

"The staff and volunteers that work together are already busy on exciting new improvements, including a further phase of planting in the autumn which will see the introduction of sustainable perennials and wildlife attracting plants in abundance."

Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said: "Described by the judges as passionate, knowledgeable and motivated, the StreetScene and Countryside teams are continually improving our sites, providing space for nature by planting wild flowers to benefit pollinators, insects and ultimately birds, providing bird boxes, reducing environmental impacts and have started introducing more drought-resistant species.

"The teams are addressing future climate and biodiversity challenges through sustainable planting, the sowing of wildflower seed, and allowing nature recovery at selected sites. In addition to this, we continue to bring in more eco-friendly grounds maintenance equipment in the form of battery operated machinery to reduce emissions and our overall carbon output in maintaining our parks and green spaces."

Elsewhere in East Devon, Exmouth's Manor Gardens, Seaton's Seafield Gardens and the Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve have also been given Green Flag awards.