Thursday September 1st 2022
Fantastic volunteers who dedicate their free time to support the group called the Friends of Fountain Green were delighted to hear the news that the Memorial Park in Loanhead had again received the Green Flag Award status for 2022. The news broke as the article in the Midlothian View was released on the 26th July which also acknowledged that Vogrie Park had achieved a similar status.
The international Green Flag award acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country that can really help boost our nation’s health and wellbeing.
The Friends of Fountain Green (FOFG) was started in 2018 when it became clear that due to council cuts there would not be as much support to maintain the green spaces in and around Loanhead and the volunteers knew that some of these spaces could be under threat. Local residents set up a group to help maintain these areas. The main objectives of the group are:
1. To maintain the flower beds and green spaces within the boundaries of Loanhead, by having public planting events as well as a weeding rota – these mainly are Fountain Green and Memorial Park.
2. To work with similar groups and exchange information and advice with them.
3. To raise funds and receive contributions where appropriate to finance the work.
Membership is open to anyone who supports these objectives, young and old and mainly to residents of Loanhead. Since the group started in 2018, they have been successful with funding from the council, the local Coop group, through a crowd funding activity and also through a stall at the 2022 Children’s Gala Day.
They have planted spring bulbs, a new herb bed in Fountain Green, maintained the beds in both Fountain Green and Memorial Park and have recently started to plant perennials to maintain the longevity and sustainability of the display of flowers in years to come.
Chris Claxton, Loanhead resident and Chairman of FOFG commented: “I am so proud of all the hard work that the volunteers of our group have put in over the last few years. Their passion and commitment to help maintain the green spaces in Loanhead and keep these looking at their best throughout the year is infectious. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark of the Green Flag Award is a real privilege and recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.”
“It is also great to hear from local residents when we are hard at work, one particular comment from a local dog walker saying that she uses the park every day and it gives her a real boost when the flowers and nature are out in force. Thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work!”
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