Following on from the award to our Memorial Park last year, Whaley has a share of a second Green Flag.

The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Awards.

“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The seven mile length of the Peak Forest Canal is one of 239 parks and green spaces across the North West who today are proudly flying a Green Flag Award, after being judged to be some of the best in the country. It joins 26 miles of The Macclesfield Canal that has been awarded the Green Flag award for the second year running after it became the first ever canal to be awarded the prestigious accolade last year.

Both canals are managed by the Trust – the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.

Walter Menzies, chair of the Manchester & Pennine waterway partnership, said: “We’re delighted that both the Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals have been awarded with Green Flags.

“They are wonderful outdoor green spaces for all the family to enjoy and it’s great that they are being recognised alongside the likes of Hyde Park in London.  It is a testament to the huge amount of work that everyone puts into looking after them, whether that is our teams, the people living or working along the waterway or our hundreds of volunteers. The awards also set new standards of excellence for our entire canal network.”

Whaley’s own, Nev Clarke who runs the local canal volunteer group was one of the hosts when the judges visited in June and also attended the award ceremony in Sheffield last week stated, “Feel very humbled at this moment. Lots of great work done all along the canal, by volunteers and CRT staff alike. Special and very personal thanks go to all those who have helped out in Whaley Bridge, you’ve done yourselves and the community proud.”

The next volunteer session is down at the basin on Sunday, August 7th, 12 noon till 3pm.  Anyway who wants to help out in any way will be made most welcome, from litter picking to weeding, to installing tapping rails.  For the more adventurous, the next bat survey is 5am the following Tuesday morning (9th August).  Phone Nev for details on 07920 253075 or get in touch at whaleycanal@gmail.com