Dudley Council has praised volunteers who help to keep the borough beautiful through their work in parks, nature reserves, green spaces and allotments.

The Great Green Get Together Awards, which took place at the walled garden of Stevens Park in Wollescote last month, featured five award categories celebrating the work of groups and individuals throughout the borough.

The ‘events organisers’ award went to the Friends of Buffery Park for organising a multitude of activities that brings the local community to the area including table top car boot sales, a gardening club, Paws in the Park dog show, Halloween activities, coffee and cake days and their annual ‘Summer in the Park’ event. 

The Friends of Hurst Green Park was awarded the ‘biodiversity developers’ award for their work in partnership with The Wildlife Trust. Utilising funds from The Big Lottery Fund, The Pebble Fund and Community Forum, they completed a full transformation of a large natural pool habitat in the park. 

The ‘health promoters’ award went to Growing with Dudley MIND. The volunteer group continuously promote and encourage all aspects of improving health and wellbeing through horticultural activities. As well as garden maintenance, they grow their own fruit and vegetables and help people to relax through gardening. 

The Friends of Huntingtree Park gained the ‘community partnership’ award for its work to include local businesses in their seasonal craft sales. They have played an important part in the Halesowen in Bloom project, have maintained the bowling green for local community use and host popular community coffee mornings. 

The ‘group transformation’ award went to The Friends of Abbey Street Park in recognition of their development and determination over the last year. They have organised community clean up events, gardening sessions and have improved their play area with a brand new inclusive roundabout. The group is developing partnerships with local businesses and groups and have already hosted their first park event, which was very popular. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services said: 

“The work of our wonderful local volunteers helps us to keep Dudley borough clean and green and this award event was our way of saying thank you for all the work they do and to give everyone an opportunity to chat to each other about their individual projects.

“It was an honour to be able to meet up with everyone and talk about the special things they are doing. Their contribution is invaluable and it is very special to see their passion and contribution towards our parks, nature reserves and green spaces and I would like to offer them my personal thank you once again.”

For more information on parks and green spaces in Dudley borough people can visit dudley.gov.uk.