Green Flag award for Lanark Castlebank Park

The park has been presented with a Green Flag award from environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

And now local people are being encouraged to vote for their favourite park in a UK-wide competition, called the People’s Choice awards.

The awards are open until Friday, September 30. To vote visit www.greenflagaward.org. find your favourite park click on ‘more details’ then finally click the ‘vote for this site’ button.

The UK top ten will be announced in October along with a top five for Scotland.

Councillor Hamish Stewart, Chair of the Council’s Community Services Committee and of the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture, said: “We are delighted that Castlebank Park has been awarded Green Flag status.

“This recognises the standards that we work to in ensuring our parks are safe and clean places to visit, promoting healthy and enjoyable lifestyles.

“I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to vote as it would be fantastic for one of our parks to achieve national recognition like this.”

Dr Lindsay Montgomery, CBE, Chairman of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Good quality green space is vital to the health and wellbeing of local communities, families and individuals – that is why it is fantastic to see Scotland’s parks and green spaces going from strength to strength.”

And the record number of Green Flag Awards was a testament to the hard work and determination of park managers, local authorities and volunteers.

The Castlebank award is a reflection of the hard work put in by the wider community to improve the park and make it a place for everyone to enjoy.

Sylvia Russell, Chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust, said ”We are delighted to receive this award which recognises the hard work that our volunteers do in the park week in, week out.

“We have managed to transform the gardens from a wilderness into a stunning place to visit.

“The volunteers have created the beautiful Wallace Rose Garden from jungle and have transformed the long border with specially chosen herbaceous plants.

“We would like to thank everyone who has contributed both time and money so that we could purchase plants and create the magnificent Wallace statue. “

And she thanked the South Lanarkshire Council employees working in partnership with the Trust and volunteers.

If you have not seen the transformation of Castlebank, come along to the open day at the Horticulture Centre this Saturday, September 17, admire the entires in the competitions, aenjoy a cup of tea, and buy some plants!

“Do come along and support us so that we can continue with the park restoration,” said Sylvia.