Birstall’s Oakwell Hall volunteers key to tenth successive Green Flag award

The flag, which was put up at the Birstall park last Thursday, recognises the country’s finest green spaces.

Awarded by the Keep Britain Tidy group, it rewards exceptional standards in areas like safety, cleanliness, environmental sustainability and visual attraction.

The venue was the first in Kirklees to win the award, which has since been scooped by Dewsbury’s Crow Nest Park – also triumphant among this year’s crop.

Oakwell Hall’s heritage manager Eric Brown said: “It was a spark that started at Oakwell Hall that has spread across Kirklees.

“And we could not have achieved what we have achieved if wasn’t for the volunteers.

“They very much have a say with ideas and how things are done, and it’s a partnership in that respect.”

Some of the volunteers contribute on a day-to-day basis, and much help is given by local businesses .

Park Ranger Patrick Crowley, 53, said: “It’s recognition of the hard work of the whole team. Some people think it’s just a lick of paint and a red carpet, but it’s not.

“It’s important to have the community involvement. We rely heavily on the volunteers, so the flag is a reflection of what you can do with a team of dedicated volunteers. They are all over the moon.”

It was Patrick who first applied for the 110-acre site to be considered for the award 10 years ago.