Green Flag celebrations
RESIDENTS, council representatives, and even the odd dog turned up to celebrate a group - which transformed an overgrown area of land into a popular wildlife spot - retaining its Community Green Flag.
Harry Cook, of the Forest Road Green Belt Gardeners, raised the flag in front of a small audience on Friday, August 18.
Just a few years ago, the land behind Forest Road, Loughborough, known as the Forest Road Green Belt, was overgrown and neglected.
But thanks to the hundreds of hours of hard work put in by the group, led by Harry and wife Pat, the site is now flourishing.
Today the area has an array of wildflowers, nature-friendly areas and a fairy trail to entertains youngsters walking through the area.
Last year the Echo reported that the group was awarded the first Community Green Flag in Loughborough.
And, much to everyone’s delight, the status has been retained this year.
Harry told the Echo: “We’re very pleased, it’s a great achievement to get and we want to try and keep doing it as long as we can.
“The people of Loughborough walk through the area absolutely love it, and can see it improving all the time. “We hope to continue that trend.” idverde’s Midland’s horticultural development manager Nicola Clarke said: “It’s an absolute credit to the Forest Road Green Belt Gardeners, I’m delighted for them. They do so much fabulous work which includes the community.”
Sarah Ritchie, contracts manager at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted they have got it for a second year running. Thanks to all the hard work of the community group here.”