Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is celebrating after Ladderedge Country Park, which it manages near Leek, has received a Green Flag Award for the tenth year in a row!

The news that this nature reserve has achieved the accreditation - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces - is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team of staff and volunteers that care for the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Ladderedge Country Park in achieving a Green Flag Award.

“This is a vital green space for the community in Leek to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to explore safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health. 
“We know that the staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.” 

Above photo by Chris Green: L-R SWT's Mark Preece, Friends of Ladderedge Country Park volunteers Andy Mack, Sue Paulukiewicz, Richard Coult, Pam Coult, Jill Winkle and Ian Mellor (kneeling down)

Mark Preece, Senior Reserves Officer, at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re very proud of Ladderedge Country Park. It’s loved by many people and has a real variety of habitat. This means it supports lots of different wildlife, such as common spotted southern marsh orchids in summer and flocks of fieldfares in winter. 

“It provides so much benefit to people as well as wildlife, with many locals spending time here every day. Spending time in nature is scientifically proven to improve health and wellbeing, and healthy functioning natural habitats such as the woodlands, wetlands and grasslands at Ladderedge also protect us from the impacts of climate change.

“This national recognition is only made possible by the unwavering support from our Friends of Ladderedge Group, a passionate team of volunteers. Whatever the task at hand, they’re here every week through all seasons enthusiastically helping keep the park excellent for wildlife and people.
“We’re always in need of extra help and everyone is welcome to get involved in the group, so if you’re interested in volunteering please get in touch.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

More information about Ladderedge Country Park can be found here: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/nature-reserves/ladderedge-country-park