Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth: flying the flag

The western beach and its gardens at Sidmouth keep on getting awards:
Green Flag again for Sidmouth’s Connaught Gardens - News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens: Green Flag award for Knowle Gardens?

The beach and gardens are highly recommended:
13 stunning beaches you must visit this summer that are less than an hour away | Somerset Live
Connaught Gardens (Sidmouth, England): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor

With great rock-pooling opportunities:
Futures Forum: Rock pooling in Sidmouth

Above the beach is Connaught Gardens - mentioned by many a personality:
Jeremy Vine's Sidmouth - Telegraph

Betjeman verse plaque in Connaught... (C) John Evans :: Geograph Britain and Ireland

The Town Band play there every Sunday evening:

STB - About Us
Sidmouth Town Band restarts search for new base - News - Sidmouth Herald








And there is one of Sidmouth's best cafes in the gardens:

Sidmouth’s Connaught Gardens in running to become UK’s favourite park - News - Sidmouth Herald
Clock Tower Tearooms, Sidmouth - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor
The Clocktower Cafe






This is from the District Council's press office:

East Devon’s public gardens are a double winner

28 July 2016

Manor Gardens is a proud recipient of the prestigious Green Flag Award – Front row on left: Jane Nicholls EDDC Parks and Open Spaces Improvement Officer), on right Ann Wheeler Exmouth in Bloom. Back row from left: Paul Marchant Streetscene Operative, Mike Wheeler Exmouth in Bloom, Councillor Steve Gazzard (Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh ward member), Councillor Iain Chubb (EDDC Portfolio holder for the Environment), Mike Vine (EDDC Parks and Open Spaces Improvement Officer), Councillor Pat Graham (Exmouth Town ward member and Exmouth in Bloom), Councillor Bill Nash (Exmouth Town ward member).

Green Flag awards presented to both Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth

East Devon District Council’s StreetScene team is proud to announce that - yet again - Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth have proved themselves worthy of flying the prestigious Green flag award, a national award given out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy to only the very best public parks and gardens in the UK.

This is the 13th consecutive year for Connaught Gardens and the 12th year in a row that Manor Gardens has won the award and they are among a record-breaking 1,686 parks and green spaces nationwide that have received a Green Flag – the mark of a quality park or green space.

Now celebrating its 20th year, the award recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio holder for the Environment, said:

We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award from Keep Britain Tidy for both Connaught Gardens and Manor Gardens.

This award recognises and highlights that people in Sidmouth and Exmouth are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality.

The Green Flag Award® scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK and I am immensely proud of our StreetScene team who work tirelessly in all weathers to ensure that the gardens are in tip-top condition throughout the different seasons. The awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status, so to receive this award for yet another consecutive year is a fantastic achievement.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Chairman of East Devon District Council, said:

I would like to thank our wonderful staff & volunteers who put in so much time and effort in keeping these two gardens in pristine condition. They go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the public can enjoy the benefits of these amazing spaces. That is true dedication and the award is recognition of their outstanding efforts, which set a standard of excellence in recreational green areas.

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said:

We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Awards.

All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

28 July 2016 - East Devon’s public gardens are a double winner - East Devon
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