Green and pleasant district

FOUR parks and green spaces in St Albans district have Green Flag awards for their excellent standard. They are Clarence Park and Sopwell Nunnery in St Albans and Rothamstead Park and Harpenden Common in Harpenden. The awards mean that the parks are amon

FOUR parks and green spaces in St Albans district have Green Flag awards for their excellent standard.

They are Clarence Park and Sopwell Nunnery in St Albans and Rothamstead Park and Harpenden Common in Harpenden.

The awards mean that the parks are among the best in the country and the district has won more awards than anywhere else in Herts.

The award is designed to set a national standard for parks and green spaces. Not only must they be welcoming and well-maintained, they must be looked after with the help and involvement of the community.

Clarence Park, which is home to St Albans City FC and hockey clubs, has notched up its fourth win in a row. The recent completion of a sensory garden, with the help of pupils from Fleetville Junior, St Alban and St Stephen and Watling View Schools, has also enhanced the park's status

Sopwell Nunnery and Harpenden Common have both won their second flag in a row, and Harpenden Town Mayor, Cllr Pat Kent, paid tribute to the volunteers who turned out in all weathers to help keep the Common in such a perfect condition.

Harpenden Common isrecognised as a county wildlife site due to its extensive range of flora and fauna. Town Councillor Daniel Chichester-Miles said: "Green Flag status reflects the fact that our Common is an area of outstanding natural beauty and heritage in which our whole community should take pride."

The flags will be handed out today (Thursday) at a ceremony in Liverpool.