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"Manchester’s cemeteries and green spaces across the city have been awarded the Green Flag Award.\r\n\r\nThe Green Flag Awards are given to parks that have attained a high standard of green space.\r\n\r\nEach year The Green Flag Award is granted by Keep Britain Tidy to recognise accessible green spaces that set an international benchmark for management.\r\n\r\nAccording to Keep Britain Tidy, this year saw the highest number of accreditations with 2,216 parks in receipt of the award, with four of them based here in Manchester.\r\n\r\nLast month Keep Britain Tidy announced that Blackley, Gorton, Philips Park and Southern Cemeteries as well as Alexandra and Heaton Park were all recipients of this year's award.\r\n\r\nCouncillor Lee- Ann Igbon, executive member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: \"Our parks and green areas are essential spaces in our city. They provide our residents with a priceless place where they can relax, exercise and enjoy themselves. Over the past year we have seen a number of parks receive essential investment to help them be the best they can be.\r\n\r\n\"I would like to take a moment to thank the hundreds of volunteers and custodians of our parks and cemeteries who dedicate their time to maintaining these spaces. This award is a great achievement and recognition of the excellent job they do- keep up the good work.\"\r\n\r\nPaul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme manager, said: \"I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Bereavement Services in achieving a Green Flag Award.\r\n\r\n\"These parks and cemeteries are vital green spaces for the community in Manchester, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”\r\n\r\nHe added: \"The Green Flag Award is an annual international accreditation run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The awards are under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.\""
<https://www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk/news/community-news/2023/08/30/manchesters-cemeteries-receives-green-flag-award/>