Following a visit in August from a Royal Horticultural Society Assessor, the parks that the Friends of Castle Parks help Northumberland County Council to enhance and maintain, have once more been declared 'outstanding'. 

Anyone who wanders through Coronation Park (Tommy the Miller's), Castle Vale Park (the Lily Pond) and Flagstaff Park (the Rose Garden) will know how hard NCC's Parks Officer Kate Dixon and the volunteers work to keep the parks beautiful and inviting green spaces around the town - and to raise funds to run a regular programme of events within them. 

However, it's lovely for all of us to have our hard work and creativity acknowledged by the RHS through their It's Your Neighbourhood scheme. Receiving 91 points out of a possible 100 is a ringing endorsement of our small group's efforts to enhance our town and contribute to making it a lovely place to live and to visit. 

The Assessor particularly highlighted that the parks are 'well maintained and well planted with a diverse range of plants for not only visual interest but also to create wildlife habitat and provide food for many birds and insects'. 

Our efforts to be self-sufficient in terms of composting and sustainable in recycling our green waste within the parks were also commended. Additionally, the displays and noticeboards were praised as were the range of art in the parks: 'The wooden sculptures of birds, animals and insects in the Parks are a lovely addition and appeal not only to children but to all age groups'. 

Areas for development the Assessor highlighted were encouraging new volunteers to get involved in the full range of our work, and to get support (either from the Council or from a capable volunteer or two) to maintain the benches and other infrastructure - particularly in Coronation Park. Perhaps that's something you could help with? 

Thanks are due to Northumberland County Council for their support of the parks through funding and maintenance such as grass cutting. In particular, without Kate in post, the work the Friends do simply would not be possible. 
 
We also want to thank Kate and every single volunteer who puts in so much hard work whether in gardening, fundraising or organising events. This group truly are 'friends' to each other, to the town - and to me. Thank you all so very much - and congratulations - you deserve to be celebrated.