Information on Loughborough

Beacon Hill and Market Bosworth Country Parks win awards

Posted on 28/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

23 July 2009

Beacon Hill and Market Bosworth Country Parks win awards

Efforts to boost two Leicestershire beauty spots have resulted in them being recognised as some of the finest parks in the country.

Beacon Hill and Market Bosworth Country Parks, which are managed by Leicestershire County Council, received sought-after Green Flag status at a ceremony in Bournemouth on Wednesday (July 22).

Judges heard how work had been carried out at Beacon Hill to restore a rare heathland habitat at its summit and reveal more panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

They also learnt how an environmentally friendly public toilet using harvested rain water had been established at Market Bosworth Country Park.

They told the County Council they were impressed with how well both parks were managed, and the fact they boast excellent signs and amenities.

Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Better Places, said: “Beacon Hill and Bosworth Park are two of the County Council’s gems.

"The Green Flags not only show how good they are; these awards also reward everyone’s hard work over the last year to make them even better."

The Green Flag Awards, which are now run by the environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV, were inundated by applications because parks value the coveted award.

Chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy Phil Barton said: "I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks to a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community."

The awards precede GreenSpace’s ‘Love Parks’ week which kicks off on July 25, where people will be encouraged to enjoy the nation’s beautiful parks and green spaces.

To see the other Green Flag winners in the East Midlands visit: http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/east-midlands/

For more information on Beacon Hill County Park Visit: http://www.leics.gov.uk/beacon

For more about Market Bosworth Country Park visit: http://www.leics.gov.uk/bosworthpark.htm

 ENDS

Photos: For photos of Beacon Hill or Market Bosworth Country Parks contact the press office on 0116 3055712.

Background: At 802ft Beacon Hill, near Loughborough is Leicestershire’s highest country park with panoramic hilltop views. There has been continuing work around the summit to restore the rare heathland habitat and improve the views. Over the last year the dedicated cycle and horse-riding circuit has been completed and is already being well-used.

The dog-free barbecue area is proving justly popular. And the Native Tree Collection now includes poems recorded by local Primary School children. Reflecting its geological importance Beacon Hill featured in a television documentary by Sir David Attenborough this year.

The elegant landscaped country park on the edge of Market Bosworth has recently benefited from a circuit of all weather surfaced paths, linking the car park, the lake and routes to the town centre.

The ‘green’ toilet block, which operates using harvested rain water and electricity generated from the photovoltaic units on the roof, continues to prove that investing in green energy reduces costs and carbon emissions.

The park is a valuable community asset, playing its part in the annual Market Bosworth Festival, and used throughout the year by local schools, community groups, and for the regular programme of health walks.

This year is a milestone year for the awards as the number of Green Flag and Green Pennant Award winners has passed 1,000 for the first time.