Second Green Flag Award for Weetslade

Friday 27th July 2012

© NWT

For the second year running, Weetslade Country Park (just north of Gosforth Park) has received the prestigious Green Flag Award which looks at criteria such as maintenance, conservation and community involvement as well as open spaces being welcoming, healthy, safe and clean before each award is given.

Weetslade Country Park is managed by the wildlife charity and its team of volunteers on behalf of the Land Trust. Developed on the former pit heap of Weetslade Colliery, the shallow sloping sides of the hill contain areas of grassland, scrub and woodland. At the foot of the slopes, to the west side of the park, wetlands provide home to many common damselflies and dragonflies. Many birds are present on the site such as grey partridge, meadow pipit and skylark.

The highest point on the site is 95m above sea level; prominent on the hill top is the drillhead sculpture, representative of the site’s mining past.

Views to the North Sea and the Cheviot Hills are possible on a clear day with Newcastle spread out to the South.

Dan Chapman, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Officer said: “I am delighted that this site has won the award. If it weren’t for our wonderful volunteer wardens who tirelessly manage the site for us, whatever the weather, the Trust’s work on a day-to-day basis would be so much harder. They really must take all the credit for it.”

Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.

“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up
the standards of our parks and green spaces. Access to quality green
space is something we all desire and the scheme plays a key role in providing it.

“In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag Awards continue to grow. As the value of green space and the role it plays in our communities strengthens, we must ensure these high standards remain.”