Allotment group dig award success

A group of Black Country allotment holders have won a prestigious award for creating one of the West Midlands' top beauty spots for the second year running.

Barnford and Farm Road Allotments association in Oldbury has again been named as the only allotments in the country to receive a Green Pennant award, set up to recognise the best green spaces in England and Wales managed by volunteers.

The gong is part of the Green Flag Award scheme, the national standard for quality parks and green spaces.

A total of 45 sites across the Black Country and Staffordshire have just been been awarded either a prestigious Green Flag or Green Pennant award.

The George Road Church Garden run by King's Community Church Environmental Group in West Bromwich has also received a Green Pennant.

Also among the winners are West Park and Bantock Park in Wolverhampton, Haden Hill Park in Cradley Heath, Victoria Park in Tipton and Palfrey Park in Walsall who secured the Green Flag Award, considered the national standard for parks and green spaces.

A record 743 green spaces across the country received a Green Flag Award which are handed out by The Civic Trust while 73 green spaces have been rewarded with a Green Pennant.

Lawrence Banner, secretary of Barnford and Farm Road Allotment Association, said his organisation was thrilled to receive a Green Pennant award for the second year running.

He said: "It is fantastic, we are over the moon.

"Four years ago we had 27 vacant plots here, we now have 14 on the waiting list to get on one of our 84 spaces.

"The judges give you a real grilling. One was here for three and a half hours this year," he added.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Kay Andrews, said: "I would like to congratulate all those whose hard work has resulted in this year's green flag winners. In our busy modern lives, parks and green spaces are invaluable as areas where young and old can come together to relax, exercise and play."

The innovative work going on at the Barnford and Farm Road allotments has helped swell interest and encourage more people to grow their own food.

The Green Pennant Award is described as a national award recognising high quality green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups, and judging is carried out to very strict criteria.