Constable Jon Cretney wants to meet residents of Derby Ward in Douglas for a coffee and a chat about local issues today (Saturday).
The event will be held at the Karma Lounge at the Warehouse Fitness Gym (above Hanly’s Convenience Store) on Westmoreland Road between 1pm and 3pm.
The ‘drop in surgery’ is an opportunity for residents to talk to and to get to know their community police officer as well as offering the chance to discuss any problems or concerns.
The director of operations for St John Ambulance in the Isle of Man has been promoted in the charity’s associated order of chivalry.
Martin Blackburn is now an officer with the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
The promotion, bestowed by the Queen, was announced in the London Gazette and he will be invested at a ceremony in London.
‘I was delighted to receive news of this honour because it recognises the wonderful work members of St John Ambulance here in the Isle of Man do to uphold the fine traditions of the Order,’ he said.
‘Our members are selfless in their dedication to St John Ambulance and this honour is as much theirs as it is mine.
‘St John Ambulance contributes so much to the special way of life we enjoy on the Isle of Man.
‘Whether providing trackside first aid cover at the iconic national motorsport events or treating wasp stings at a village fair, in training members of the public how to save a life, teaching young people the necessary skills for life, or by providing Community First Responders to attend 999 calls in their local village and provide immediate care while the ambulance is on its way, St John Ambulance members in the island give many thousands of hours of unpaid help.’
Martin, 48, joined St John Ambulance’s Cadets in Onchan at the age of 11 and transferred into its adult division on his 16th birthday.
He has served ever since, both as an operational first aider and a member of the training team.
Martin became county director of training in 2004 and took up his current post as county commissioner/director of operations in 2011.
He recently qualified as an emergency transport attendant, St John’s highest level of lay first aider. He was first appointed as a member in the Order of St John in 2007 and his promotion has been sanctioned by the Queen as its sovereign head.
The Order of St John is an order of chivalry of the British Crown that was incorporated by a Royal charter granted by Queen Victoria in 1888.
It has six grades: esquire, member, officer, commander, knight and bailiff.
The Order is a major international charity, accredited to the United Nations, whose organisations provide first aid, health care and support services in more than 40 countries.
Two bodies have been found in the sea during a coastguard-led search off the Manx coast today (Saturday).
Two local men were reported as missing when they did not return home after an afternoon out fishing off the north of the island yesterday (Friday).
The alarm was raised during the early hours of today after friends and family failed to make any contact with them.
The pair are believed to have gone fishing off Blue Point on the west of the island around lunchtime yesterday.
Lifeboats from Ramsey and Peel were launched, supported by a further lifeboat from Portpatrick in Scotland. Coastal search teams assisted, along with air support from RAF Valley in Anglesey. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency co-ordinated the search through Liverpool Coastguard.
Just after 6am an upturned flat-bottomed dingy was located in the area of the search. It is believed to be that belonging to the missing men.
The first body was found at about 1.30pm. The second one was located a few hours later.
Police say that inquiries are continuing to establish the identity of the bodies and no formal identification has yet taken place although they are suspected to be that of the missing men.
Officers are with the men’s families, who have been kept up to date with the search efforts.
A Ramsey woman who organised island-wide displays for National Organ Donation Week hopes it got people talking about the issue, and plans to double the number of stalls next year.
Diane Taylor lost her 15-year-old son Daniel, but his organs helped save or improve the lives of four others.
She said sharing these success stories, through her Facebook page ‘Organ Donation Isle of Man - The Gift of Life’ is important, adding that people can contact her through the page to share stories, anonymously if they wish.
People can register as a donor at http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/
Education chiefs have issued a reminder to employers to follow laws relating to taking on children.
With students across the island now enjoying the summer holidays, the Department of Education and Children has distributed posters to employers and sent copies to locations including libraries and GPs’ surgeries.
The posters remind those hiring children to observe the Employment of Children Regulations 2005, which form part of the Education Act of 2001.
Under the regulations, children under the age of 13 can’t be employed at all.
Children under 15 can only be employed for ‘light work’.
This is defined as work that doesn’t involve standing for a considerable time, walking a considerable distance, operating heavy machinery, moving, lifting or carrying heavy weights or any other form of heavy labour.
Other regulations set limits on the amount of work that can be carried out by school-aged children (those below the limit of compulsory education).
They can’t work more than 28 hours if they are under 15 or 35 hours if they are 15 or 16.
They must not work before 7am or after 9pm on a school day or before 7am and after 10pm on a non school day.
In addition, they can’t work for more than two hours on a school day that is followed by a school day; four hours on a school day followed by a non school day and seven hours on a non school day.
In total, school-aged children can’t work for more than six days in any one week.
The regulations also require children to be given certain specified breaks and require employers to keep a detailed register of children on their payroll and to allow DEC to inspect it.
Employers contravening the regulations and, in some cases, parents can be fined up to £5,000 for contravening them.
Read a full copy of the regulations at http://cf.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/education-and-children/
Teenagers are being offered the chance for a taste of what it’s like to serve in the police.
The Isle of Man Constabulary is seeking to recruit volunteer Police Cadets between the ages of 16-18.
It would start from September and the cadets would need to be willing to give up one evening a week at Lord Street Police Station in Douglas from 6pm to 8pm.
Cadets will be taught about the law, police procedures, drill, first aid and also learn about some of the specialist units within the police.
To get an application form for becoming a cadet email michael.griffiths@gov.im or write to Constable Michael Griffiths, Police Cadet co-ordinator, Douglas Police Headquarters, Glencrutchery Road, Douglas.
Constable Griffiths said: ‘This exciting new role will be similar in nature to the other cadet schemes operating in the island.
‘Cadets will gain an insight into the Constabulary and the workings of the police service in a co-ordinated and safe way.
‘This presents unique opportunity for young people to work in structured environment and gain life skills at the same time.’
Local charity, Isle of Man Live at Home Schemes, has taken delivery of a new 14-seater minibus.
The minibus was purchased with donations from The Eric and Marion Scott Trust and The Gough Ritchie Trust.
Trustee of the Scott Trust, Ken Devaney, handed over the keys to the Live at Home scheme manager, Jo Dixon, at a thank you lunch.
Jo said: ‘We cannot thank the trustees of The Scott Trust and Gough Ritchie enough for their donations.
‘It’s a dream come true having our own minibus. This will enhance our services enormously.
‘With six schemes already offering social inclusion and support to over 550 registered members throughout the island, the opportunity and need to extend our services has never been greater,’ she added.
‘I would like to add a huge thank you to Anne and Dennis Duggan, and Claire Quayle, who on behalf of Live at Home, worked tirelessly to make our dream a reality.’
The minibus was supplied by Minibus Options of Macclesfield, whose help and expertise resulted in a bus specifically fitted out for the needs of Live at Home members.
For more infor about the Live at Home scheme visit www.mha.org.uk/lahs06.aspx
Police are investigating the theft of two outboard motors.
The motors were stolen from an unattended boat at the boat-park on Breakwater Road, Port Erin, some time between July 13 and 27.
One motor is a 6HP Mariner engine, the other is a 2.5HP Yamaha engine, both are silvery-blue in colour, they have a combined value of £1,800.
Constable Adrian Brooks said: ‘These are valuable items and have left the victim facing a large bill to replace them. Fortunately, these type of incidents are not a regular occurrence, but nonetheless boat owners are asked to take extra care to secure their boats and associated equipment.
‘During the summer months the areas in the vicinity of boat parks are generally frequented by a large number of people, and police would ask that members of the public be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.’
Anybody with any information about this matter should contact Port Erin police station on 832222.
The Shoulder Road, leading up to the Round Table, near South Barrule, has been closed after a hole mysteriously opened up.
Staff from the Department of Infrastructure are looking into it.
Two birds, which got tangled in fishing tackled, had to be rescued from the reservoir in West Baldwin.
Not the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is urging anglers to take care with their equipment.
On Saturday, July 20, a DEFA forestry warden discovered a heron being attacked by crows in the shallows of the reservoir and found that, not only was a hook caught in its foot but that the attached line was wrapped around a duck, which also had a hook lodged in its throat.
An MSPCA officer was called to the scene to help rescue the birds.
The heron has since recovered and been released but, unfortunately, the duck could not be saved.
Kate Beecroft,MHK the polician at DEFA responsible for fisheries, said ‘This highlights how unfortunate the consequences can be when care is not taken to avoid fishing tackle being lost or discarded. The majority of anglers are responsible conservationists and it is a shame that the behaviour of a careless minority has the potential to tarnish the reputation of this popular sport.’
DEFA’s advice to anglers is:
Never drop litter or discard tackle
Take damaged line home and either burn it or cut it into short lengths before disposal
If you see discarded tackle when out fishing, take it home for disposal
Report irresponsible behaviour to DEFA fisheries by phoning 685857
Today (Monday) sees Noble’s Hospital welcome its latest intake of junior doctors, who will spend the next two years at the hospital undergoing general medical training to gain experience working in a variety of specialities.
The latest intake – known officially as ‘Foundation’ doctors – can be assured of tutors and supervisors who are ‘supportive, approachable and friendly’ and ‘a picture of a learning environment’ – conclusions from the 2013 annual assessment visit by the Mersey Deanery which operates postgraduate training, including the Foundation Programme, in the Isle of Man and North West of England.
Noble’s Hospital is one of 10 acute hospitals in the area available for medical graduates to undertake their two-year Foundation Programme, which acts as a bridge between medical school and more specialist training. As well as on-the-job experience and training, academic work continues to provide doctors with an integrated curriculum that focuses on both practice and theory.
This year’s quality assurance inspection was carried out by three members of the Mersey Deanery’s quality management team - Graham Lamont, deputy postgraduate dean and Dr Vish Kini, deputy director of postgraduate GP education, together with their lay representative Moira McLoughlin.
Dr Dashfield said: ‘There are a great number of positives in our most recent review and some areas we will be working to strengthen as our next tranche of Foundation doctors arrive. I’m delighted that we have again received positive feedback from the Deanery and that Foundation doctors can find at Noble’s Hospital not only exceptional teaching resources, but also a wide variety of different medical environments in which to practice with clinicians dedicated to developing the next generation of doctors.
‘Noble’s Hospital’s reputation has become more eminent over the past several years as we’ve steadily developed our Foundation Programme, addressing feedback from the Deanery each year. The result is that an increasing number of Foundation doctors are selecting Noble’s Hospital as their preferred first choice for training, which is fantastic and testament to the hard work that everyone has put in.’
New Foundation doctors will shadow existing Foundation doctors already at Noble’s Hospital, and will receive a comprehensive induction, involving lectures and practical skills in order for them to be as prepared as possible for starting work on the wards.
Mary Clark, medical education manager, said: ‘The benefits of running a Foundation Programme in the island are two-fold.
‘First and foremost it helps to put Noble’s Hospital and the Isle of Man firmly on the map, so to speak. This will be extremely beneficial in terms of future recruitment of doctors.
‘Secondly, new and inquisitive doctors help bring “fresh blood” to Noble’s Hospital and allow for a free exchange of ideas between our junior doctors and the more experienced professionals who tutor and mentor them. My thanks goes out to everyone involved in making the Island’s programme such a success, and I hope the new intake of doctors enjoy their time in the Isle of Man.’
Steam Packet passengers donated almost £14,000 to the Rob Vine Fund during the TT.
Rob Vine was a regular TT competitor, who lost his life at Black Dub during the 1985 Senior TT. In conjunction with Dr David B Stevens MBE, chief medical officer for the TT and Manx Grand rix races at the time, Rob’s family established a Noble’s Hospital-administered gift account.
In 2005 the Rob Vine Fund was set up as a separate registered charity. The purposes of the fund have remained unchanged for more than 25 years – to provide medical/rescue equipment and training for all doctors, paramedics and marshals involved in two, three or four-wheeled motorsport events in the Isle of Man.
The collection on board Steam Packet vessels during the TT period was first organised by the crew in 1995.
Following this year’s donation, it means more than £190,000 has now been raised.
Dr Stevens, who is secretary and director of the fund, said: ‘The generosity of the TT fans is fantastic.
‘This is the biggest single donation that we receive each year and goes towards purchasing new equipment which is vital to those competing in the many motorsport events that we hold in the island.
‘I would like to thank those fans who gave so generously and the crew of the Steam Packet vessels who help coordinate the collection on our behalf.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We’re proud of our crews who organise the collections and each year the kindness of our passengers during the TT period is incredible. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the collections for the Fund over the years.’
Our picture shows Steam Packet captain John Pirrie presents a cheque for almost £14,000 to Dr David Stevens MBE, representing the Rob Vine Fund
The Steam Packet has vowed to fight competition on sea routes to and from the island.
Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has the details and reports from the public meeting held by Ellan Vannin Line bosses on Friday.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/steam-packet-cuts-its-debt-1-5893705|Click here to see a video interview}
The front page of the paper also has more details on the deaths of two anglers at the weekend.
On page 3, we report on the jailing of an apprentice plumber for supplying ecstasy.
The 40th anniversary of the Summerland tragedy, in which 50 people died, is to be marked this week.
The Examiner speaks to one woman whose brother died. She has never spoken in the media about the tragedy till today.
In other news, the bendy bus saga seems to have been going on since King Orry was a lad. A report is being considered before a decision is made. But should that report be made public? The Examiner has the latest.
We also report on the level of water at the island’s reservoirs. Photographer Mike Wade has taken some great shots at the Clypse Reservoir in Onchan.
The fate of the last working mercury arc rectifier in the British Isles. Don’t know what that is? Well, it’s concerning fans of the Manx Electric Railway. We have all the details.
Our green and pleasant land is to be celebrated with a botanical garden ‘of global standing’ if plans go ahead. The Examiner reports more.
Island author Chris Ewan’s latest thriller goes on sale this week. He tells us more about it.
In the centre pages we have a selection of photos from the Southern Agricultural Show. Photographer John Maddrell was very busy there.
You can see more at iomtoday.co.im/buyaphoto using the search term Southern Agricultural Show.
The back page has news of two great wins by Manx teenagers.
The island’s favourite newspaper is in the shops now.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare has confirmed that Moody’s Investors Services is to review the Isle of Man’s AAA government bond ratings with a view to a possible downgrade.
Mr Teare says the move is not unexpected in a changing global economic climate.
More details on this story in today’s Isle of Man Examiner.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/island-s-standard-and-poor-s-credit-rating-downgraded-1-3959468|Standard and Poor dropped the island’s rating in 2011}
The police have published their first ever report on social inclusion.
The police have been working towards a more inclusive way of dealing with vulnerable members of the community and their own workforce.
Its focus is on delivering a service to all sectors of the community irrespective of age, disability, race, faith, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.
For the full story, see today’s Isle of Man Examiner.
Circular Road is to be closed to traffic heading out of Douglas as the Peel Road reconstruction project enters its next phase.
Focus of the roadworks is switching to the section between the western entrance to the Hills Meadow industrial estate and the Circular Road junction, on the out-of-town side of the road.
As well as the road reconstruction works, a new surface water outfall pipe is being laid across Peel Road between Belmont Hill and Hills Meadow.
This is part of an on-going flood alleviation scheme for this area of Douglas, which is being carried out in conjunction with the Water and Sewage Authority. It is expected this phase of the works will take nine weeks starting from today (Monday).
In view of the depth of excavation needed for the drainage works and the narrowing of Peel Road in the area of the Brown Bobby junction, it will only be possible to keep one lane open during the works, with traffic managed by temporary lights. Belmont Hill is one way.
This will also require Circular Road to be closed to traffic heading out of Douglas. Inbound traffic will still be able to use this route.
Highways chiefs said there are no alternatives to this closure and they are asking motorists to be patient while this essential work is carried out.
Lord Street and Peel Road will remain two way on this section but drivers are strongly advised by the DoI to find an alternative route to help minimise travel delays.
Parking will be restricted in the area.
Isle of Man Post Office bosses insist full privatisation is not on the agenda.
But the board says it is strongly in favour of corporatisation of the service, saying there would be clear benefits if it was to operate as a stand-alone business, wholly owned by the government.
Post Office chairman Geoff Corkish MLC spoke out following comments made in last week’s Examiner by Liberal Vannin leader Peter Karran who said there was no need to privatise the Post Office as it already works well.
In a statement, the board said it welcomed comments made by Chief Minister Allan Bell that the Council of Ministers is examining corporatisation.
It said it believed this is the ‘right direction for its future’ and a business case has been presented to the CoMin in support of this recommendation.
If agreed by the CoMin, it would mean changing the Post Office from a statutory board of Tynwald to a limited company wholly-owned by government.
Mr Corkish said: ‘With the recent announcement by the UK government to privatise Royal Mail, there may be some confusion about what the proposals are for the Post Office on the island.
‘All of the discussions between the Post Office and Council of Ministers have been about corporatisation not privatisation. The board and I believe there are many benefits for the Post Office to be corporatised, which will retain the business in government ownership and we have welcomed the decision by the Council of Ministers to consider this within the first phase of their review of the Scope of Government Report.’
He added: ‘There are clear benefits to the Post Office being corporatised. It would provide us with the opportunity to be a stand-alone business and focus on our commercial activities, particularly those off-island, while still delivering the high standard of service to our local customers.
‘Corporatisation would allow us to operate more competitively in the open market which in turn, would enable us to continue with our diversification strategy as agreed by Tynwald in 2006.’
The Department of Economic Development has recently introduced a new Bill seeking minor amendments to the 1993 Post Office Act to reflect the modern postal communications market.
If corporatisation is approved, further legislation changes, including a new Postal Services Act, would have to be introduced.
An announcement on the Post Office and its future is expected by the end of the year.
Last night’s Steam Packet sailings of the Ben-my-Chree were cancelled.
The boat was scheduled to sail at 7.45pm from Douglas and 2.15am from Heysham.
However, routine inspections revealed that ropes from a fishing vessel have become entangled around both of the vessel’s propellers, and the diving team were unavailable to clear the ropes because of government cuts.
All passengers affected by the cancellations were advised and the Steam Packet organised an additional service on board Manannan, which left Douglas at 10.30pm and returned from Heysham at 1:30am.
It’s the second time this month that the Ben-my-Chree has suffered problems because of fishing ropes.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/steam-packet-sailings-are-saved-by-the-navy-1-5848786|Click here to read our earlier story}
This morning’s sailing to Heysham was delayed. Passengers were asked to check in as normal and the boat left at 9.40am after the ropes were cleared from the vessel’s propellers. It is expected to arrive in Heysham at 1.15pm and passengers for this afternoon’s 2,15pm return sailing have been asked to check in as normal.
A taste of life in the real world of work was on the timetable for year 10 students from Ballakermeen High School and Ramsey Grammar School.
They spent a morning at Barclays as part of the bank’s long-standing support of Junior Achievement’s aim to help young people develop the skills needed for when they leave full-time education.
The year 2013 is the third year in succession that Barclays has held open day sessions in partnership with the charity and the first year when all six secondary schools have taken part.
Barclays’ Bal Jandu, a long-time Junior Achievement volunteer and the first to have completed the nationally recognised CVQ (Community Volunteering Qualification), organised the sessions on behalf of the bank.
She said: ‘From the very first year Barclays became involved it was clear there was an appetite among students to gain an insight into working in the finance sector.
‘The sessions are structured in such a way to give students a flavour of the different areas of the bank and to dispel the myth that banks are just about bank managers and cashiers.
‘They get to know about the accounting, legal, marketing, communications, HR and IT functions and the different types of roles, such as customer-facing, management, technical leadership and project work, and we also explain the opportunities for career progression and mobility options within the global Barclays operation.
‘It’s not just the work side of Barclays we show, though.
‘We also use the sessions to explain how Barclays invests in its people and the local community, not least our commitment to Junior Achievement.’
Mrs Jandu’s colleague, Rachael Cashin, said: ‘These sessions really open young people’s eyes to what work is all about.
‘Word of mouth among the students has led to a massive growth in interest and, from the bank’s perspective, we see tremendous value in investing time and people in the sessions.’
Mrs Jandu added: ‘Feedback from colleagues is always very positive, as it is from the students, and we often receive requests from some of them for work experience during the summer. In short, the open days are beneficial for all the participants.’
Ballakermeen High School’s Eoin Moriarty, who has led CV and interview technique workshops in association with Junior Achievement, accompanied a group of seven students from the school.
He said: ‘The students who attended had already expressed a wish to join the finance sector and were keen to gain some work experience.
‘The finance industry is a major component of the Island’s economy and for students to be able to meet people working in all the different areas of banking is extremely valuable.’
Ramsey Grammar School’s Tony Smith said: ‘In school you can’t really recreate real-world, real-life situations.
‘These open days, however, which involve ‘‘real” people in a “real” business setting, are a means to express what work’s all about in a very different “voice”, one that’s straight to the point and, at the same time, endorses core values.
‘To prepare young people for the world of work you need multiple communication channels.
‘Taking part in these sessions students hear about work in the language people in banking actually use, and that’s of tremendous value.
‘Barclays staff we’ve met have been excellent and for the managing director, Simon Scott, to take time out to talk to the students demonstrates how important Barclays views these sessions.’
Barclays’ Isle of Man Service centre head Rob Dickinson said: ‘We’re delighted that all six schools have come on board this year and it was interesting to note that a good number of students came well prepared.
‘As well as the students getting to know what it’s like working in the finance sector and to see the Barclays brand in action, it’s also valuable for us as a business investing in the local community.
‘The sessions do much to help bring working in the finance sector to life and we’re pleased to have had this opportunity to open the doors on to the world of banking and Barclays.’
Amy Corkish, 15, from Ballakermeen High School said: ‘Before I took part in the session I had no idea about the history of Barclays and just how many departments there were.
‘To spend time behind the scenes and talk to people as they were working was really interesting.
‘You see how professional they have to be when dealing with customers and the importance of having good communication skills.
‘It puts banking in perspective and shows how many opportunities there are to progress your career.’
Alex Drowley, 15, from Ramsey Grammar School, said: ‘It’s been a real surprise getting this insight.
‘I see now that there’s a lot more to banking than I thought. Sitting in with Barclays staff as they work was very interesting and has made me all the more convinced I want a career in banking.’
Junior Achievement’s programme manager Joy Spence said: ‘To be able to harness the power of business in this most practical of ways is such an important contribution to preparing young people for what the world of work is really like.
‘We’re therefore enormously grateful to Barclays for embracing the open day concept wholeheartedly and to all six of the island’s secondary schools for recognising the value of these sessions.’
Douglas’s use of green spaces has been recognised with two awards.
The capital is the first local authority area in the island to win ‘Green Flag’ awards.
The Green Flag award scheme is the benchmark standard for parks and green spaces across the British Isles, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, awarded by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Douglas Council applied for Noble’s Park and the Marine Gardens on Loch promenade to be considered for the scheme in February this year. Judges from the UK and the Netherlands visited the sites in May then, after an assessment process, awarded green flag status to both.
Council leader Cllr David Christian said: ‘To be recognised at the very first attempt for the excellence of our parks and gardens is fantastic news. Receiving not one but two Green Flags is testament to the investment the Council is continuing to make in its green open spaces.
‘As with the council’s own exacting approach to its parks and gardens the Green Flag scheme looks at much more than the mere aesthetics and appeal of a site. It takes into account environmental, management and future planning policies along with community involvement.
‘At a time when many local authorities are cutting back on what they see as aspirational but non-essential amenities Douglas recognises the importance of quality parks and gardens in its overall town centre regeneration strategy.
‘Well-maintained parks and gardens not only benefit the local community and have a positive impact on people’s quality of life but they also have the power to contribute to a town’s economy.
‘Well-maintained green spaces are one indicator of how well a town is doing, so can help attract new business and investment and generate increased visitor numbers. Additionally, for existing businesses in Douglas, not least those allied to the hospitality industry, the town’s Green Flag status can serve as a unique selling point for their promotional and marketing activities.’
Cllr Christian added that the judges were impressed that Douglas was a local authority with its own nursery, Ballaughton.
‘Once again our commitment to sustainability and investment in the nursery, where all the plants for our parks and gardens are grown, has paid dividends,’ he said. ‘Receiving these two Green Flags is cause for celebration. The awards, however, are made annually, and winners must apply each year to renew their status. I hope that by winning this award Douglas can serve as a beacon to other local authorities and I’m confident that in 2014 we’ll not only have raised standards even further but we’ll also be raising even more Green Flags.’
Green Flag Award applications are judged against eight criteria addressed through management plans and site inspections and scrutinised through independent verification.
The criteria include:
A welcoming place
When approaching or entering the park/green space, the overall impression for any member of the community - regardless of the purpose of their visit - should be positive and inviting. There should be:
• Good and safe access;
• Good signage to and in the park/green space;
• Equal access for all members of the community.
Healthy, safe and secure
The park/green space must be a healthy, safe and secure place for all members of the community to use. Any issues that have come to light must be addressed in the management plan and implemented on the ground. New issues that arise must be addressed promptly and appropriately.
• Equipment and facilities must be safe to use;
• It must be a secure place for all members of the community to use or traverse;
• Dog fouling must be adequately addressed;
• Health and safety policies should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed;
• Toilets, drinking water, first aid, public telephones and emergency equipment where relevant (e.g. lifebelts by water) should be available in or near the park/green space, and be clearly signposted.
Clean and well maintained
For aesthetic as well as health and safety reasons, issues of cleanliness and maintenance must be adequately addressed, in particular:
• Litter and other waste management;
• The maintenance of grounds, buildings, equipment and other features;
• A policy on litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed.
Sustainability
Methods used in maintaining the park/green space and its facilities should be environmentally sound, relying on best practices available according to current knowledge. Management should be aware of the range of techniques available to them, and demonstrate that informed choices have been made and are regularly reviewed. Parks/green spaces should:
• Have an environmental policy or charter and management strategy in place, which is in practice and regularly reviewed;
• Minimise and justify pesticide use;
• Eliminate horticultural peat use;
• Recycle waste plant material;
• Demonstrate high horticultural and arboricultural standards;
• Have energy conservation, pollution reduction, waste recycling, and resource conservation measures.
Conservation and heritage
Particular attention should be paid to the conservation and appropriate management of:
• Natural features, wildlife and fauna;
• Landscapes;
• Buildings and structural features;
• These should serve their function well without placing undue pressure on the surrounding environment.
Community involvement
The park/green space management should actively pursue the involvement of members of the community who represent as many park/green space user groups as possible. The following should be demonstrated:
• Knowledge of user community and levels and patterns of use;
• Evidence of community involvement in management and/or developments and results achieved;
• Appropriate levels of provision of recreational facilities for all sectors of the community.
Marketing
• A marketing strategy should be in place, which is in practice and regularly reviewed;
• There should be good provision of information to users, e.g. about management strategies, activities, features, ways to get involved;
• The park/green space should be promoted as a community resource.
Management
• A management plan or strategy should be in place;
• This should clearly and adequately address all of the above criteria and any other relevant aspects of the park/green space’s management;
• The plan must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed;
• A financially sound management of the park/green space must also be demonstrated.