Wednesday 18th December 2024  

Green Flag Award

Stafford Orchard has a Green Flag for excellence. The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme recognises and rewards those green spaces which meet the highest standards. Parks must apply each year to keep their Green Flag Award, and winning sites are eligible to fly their Green Flag in the park for a year.

Sites for a Green Flag Award are judged against eight criteria:

Stafford Orchard was refurbished in 2010 by a village volunteer group working with landscape architects Bellinger Design of Evesham, funded by grants from the National Lottery, Charnwood Borough Council, and Quorn Parish Council.

The park had new play equipment installed for young and older children, the landscape and biodiversity was enhanced with new trees, native shrubs, thousands of spring bulbs, and a sensory garden was created. New wildlife habitats were created in the park's brook area, and entrances and paths were improved. A raised performance area for outdoor concerts and performances was added. The old Victorian gaol (a listed building) was restored and a 1970s toilet block was converted into a park services building, and toilets were refurbished.

Stafford Orchard continues to develop, with the addition of adult exercise equipment and disabled children’s play equipment. The Parish Council remains committed to maintaining Stafford Orchard in line with the Green Flag scheme.