The Friends of Yeovil Country Park are celebrating after it was announced that the Country Park has achieved a five star award from this year’s Britain in Bloom judging.
It has been a busy two years down at South Somerset District Council’s Yeovil Country Park. The construction of the new Centre and the awarding of the Heritage Lottery Grant bringing forward new events, activities and interpretation for the site at Ninesprings and the wider Country Park land being particular highlights.
It is great news that after a 2015 judging visit by the Britain in Bloom judges, the Park and its Friends Group have been recognised as a top performing site, being awarded the highest star rating of five.
The Friends of Yeovil Country Park Chairman Mr Robin MacKay said, “The Friends group are delighted to be such a key part of Yeovil Country Park. It was positive that the wildlife and natural areas of the park were so highly commended and recognised by the Britain in Bloom judges. They took particular note of the educational involvement from our local schools. We also found that they spoke highly of the mix of opportunities offered by the rangers and other groups aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of site visitors”.
Countryside Ranger Rachael Whaites added, “It is great that the partnership working of the Friends, SSDC Rangers and Volunteers at Yeovil Country Park has been so highly recognised and praised. The high standard of maintenance, approach to wildlife and conservation and fundraising for projects is all only possible because we work so closely. Our active Facebook feed is down to the hard work of a volunteer and the support and engagement of local businesses is facilitated by our volunteers”.
Portfolio Holder Sylvia Seal said, “This is a great award and richly deserved by the Friends and Volunteers who are the backbone of the operation down at Yeovil Country Park. I am delighted that the partnership approach and collaborative working of all those involved with the park has been recognised so highly. With the recent investment in the park from grant funders we look forward to seeing many new and exciting projects being delivered in the coming years”.
Photos: Waterfall at Ninesprings. Friends of Yeovil Country Park at a fayre held at the site.