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Woking’s Brookwood Cemetery, a Historic England significant heritage destination, has once again received the National Green Flag Award status.
The award scheme, managed by the leading environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
The purpose is to promote the need to have access to quality green space and enable residents live a healthier lifestyle.
In recent months, as part of the ongoing restoration of Brookwood Cemetery, Woking Borough Council has remediated 7,000 cubic metres of contaminated land within the grounds to create a beautiful new burial site and wetland area.
Cllr Kevin Davis, Woking Borough Council’s lead member for Brookwood Cemetery, said: “Brookwood Cemetery is a site like no other. The natural beauty, history and ecological value makes the grounds a unique asset to the community.
“Renewing our Green Flag status is a remarkable achievement to be proud of and a testament to the recent restoration works the cemetery has seen. The new features have transformed the area and with the addition of contemplation spots and benches over the wetland, the site welcomes visitors with a renewed warmth and an intimate atmosphere.”
Avril Kirby, Brookwood Cemetery Manager, continued: “The Council is committed to improving the borough’s biodiversity and green infrastructure. It brings me great pride that this prestigious award has once again been honoured, especially after the hard work and dedication from all the teams involved in creating the new burial site, the wider restoration programme and the general upkeep of the site.”
In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, Brookwood Cemetery is one of 2,127 celebrating success.
The site will join parks and green spaces as diverse as the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Woodhouse Park in Peterlee and Chiswick Old Cemetery in London.