Three of Calne's green spaces have been recognised with Green Flag Awards again this year, with Castlefields Canal & River Park, Curzon Street Cemetery and Calne Pocket Park all celebrating success.
Castlefields Canal & River Park has retained its Green Flag Award for a second year, while Curzon Street Cemetery and Calne Pocket Park and Community Garden have each received the honour for a fourth consecutive year.
Mayor of Calne, Councillor Tim Havenith, said: "As Mayor of Calne, I'm delighted to celebrate Castlefields receiving the Green Flag Award. This achievement reflects the strong partnership between the council and the Castlefields Canal and River Park Association. Their dedication over the past 25 years has played a vital part in helping our green spaces flourish."
The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. This year marks the scheme's 30th anniversary, with a record 2,391 sites across the UK receiving the accolade.
Calne Town Council said the awards for Castlefields Canal & River Park and Curzon Street Cemetery recognise the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers who maintain the sites to a high standard for residents and visitors.
Meanwhile, volunteers at Calne Pocket Park are celebrating after retaining their Green Flag Community Award for a fourth consecutive year. The award recognises not only the high standards of maintenance at the Pocket Park, but also its programme of community events.
Pocket Park chairman John Boaler said: "To receive a Green Flag Award four years running is a real accolade. Our volunteers work hard all year round to ensure the planters are attractive and well maintained, while keeping the Pocket Park tidy and welcoming.
"Green Flag judges take an interest in our commitment to sustainable gardening practices. For example, we have two water butts harvesting rainwater from the roofs of our sheds, we use only peat-free compost, have two wildflower planters and a bug hotel, and use no chemical weed killers."
Calne Town Council recently awarded the Pocket Park a grant to purchase three wooden compost bins. As well as reducing the amount spent on buying compost, they will enable volunteers to compost green waste on site and demonstrate good composting practices.
Mr Boaler said the Pocket Park's role in community events such as Duck Race Day and Calne Bike Meet, along with the concerts, chess afternoons and other activities organised by volunteers, helped secure the award once again.
The Pocket Park has already hosted two free concerts this summer, featuring Calne Ukuleles and Frankie, as well as two chess afternoons. More events are planned during the school holidays, including a touring production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on Tuesday, 28 July.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: "Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don't feel safe or welcoming.
"With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it's a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people's quality of life.
"Calne Town Council have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
"Congratulations to everyone involved."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world.
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