Farnham Town Council’s efforts to provide well-managed green spaces for the community have been recognised with the award of not one but three international quality marks.

Green Flags have been awarded to Gostrey Meadow, Badshot Lea Cemetery and West Street Cemetery.

Gostrey Meadow first received Green Flag status in 2021. This is the first year that Badshot Lea and West Street cemeteries have been entered into the prestigious award.

Councillor Mat Brown, Lead Member for the Environment says: “We are overjoyed to have received these awards but there is no time for us to rest on our laurels. Being custodians of several of Farnham’s green spaces is not a responsibility we take lightly and so we have ambitious management plans for each of the sites. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff and team of volunteers that we are able to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in these valuable community spaces.”

Some of the projects that have been undertaken in the past year at Gostrey Meadow include the clearing of old and poor-quality shrubs, the seeking of advice from a national expert on how to enhance the section of the River Wey which runs through the Meadow, and the improvement of flower beds by the Friends of Gostrey Meadow.

Regular visitors to West Street Cemetery will have noticed the large areas of wildflowers which are attracting a range of pollinating insects. Other improvements include the planting of 150 trees and the continuing growth of the Friends’ group. At Badshot Lea Cemetery, pathways have been improved, thousands of spring bulbs have been planted by volunteers and a memorial tree has been provided for friends and relatives to hang memorials for their loved ones.

Councillor Brown adds: “Whilst much has been achieved, there is more to do. Some of the projects we have lined up for the next year include pathway improvements, tree planting and measures to increase biodiversity.”

Green Flag Awards are given on an annual basis. Farnham Town Council will reapply to renew the status for the three sites in the summer of 2024.

Anybody who is interested in volunteering to help Farnham maintain its Green Flag status can register their interest by emailing bloom@farnham.gov.uk.

The Green Flag Award scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.