Victoria Park is a delightful space yet the parks department seem to think that it is not to the standard of a Green Flag Award. As a Civic Society I know the Local Authority does not have a Green Flag Award yet and I remember reading in Grass Roots online that every Local authority should achieve a Green Flag. Our Society and the Friends groups would like to make this happen but other than reading the Civic Trust material on this subject I dont know how we would start.

3 questions

1 - Do any other Civic Societies work with the Local Authority in achieving a Green Flag Award?
2 - Can the Civic Trust tell us what we should be doing?
3 - What is the Civic Trust doing to ensure every local authority has a Green Flag Award?

The Civic Trust has a dedicated team who are responsible for encouraging local authorities to apply and are in regular contact to understand what support it can provide. We attend the Local Government Association Conferences to highlight the scheme to elected members, and also attend meetings with councillors and parks departments to encourage them to make applications.
I would be more than happy to meet with your friends group to discuss how you can support us in encouraging your authority to apply. However one simple way you may wish to try is to encourage as many people as possible to write to their councillors asking why there are currently no Green Flags and offering their support in making applications.

Paul Todd

Green Flag Award Applications Manager
0151 231 6904

It is not just getting a local authority to apply for a Green Flag award, it is making them take seriously the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of the parks and commons that they have. Many are neglected.

One of my local ones is Gunnersbury Park in West London ‘jointly controlled’ by LB Ealing and LB Hounslow. Each has passed the buck for years and famous buildings in it are on the EH ‘At Risk’ register and facilities have been closed.  A new management board may take a revised approach now but may need a lot of advice and help.
Where does that come from?

Peter Eversden, Chairman, London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies

Can anyone give me some pointers for some cheapish notice boards for external use that we can put in our square?
we have a limited fund as always