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Seven green spaces in Caerphilly County Borough have been awarded Green Flag status for 2020/21.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognised well-maintained parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world.

The green space around Caerphilly County Borough Council’s offices in Tredomen has been given Green Flag status for the first time.

It joins Cwmcarn Forest, Morgan Jones Park, Parc Cwm Darran, Waunfawr Park, Ystrad Mynach Park and Brithdir Cemetry, all of which already hold Green Flag status.

Councillor John Ridgewell, council cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “We have some fantastic parks and green spaces in our county and staff work incredibly hard to ensure that standards are maintained in these award winning spaces and all of our parks.

“I’m absolutely delighted to see Penallta House added to the Green Flag family this year and hope that the community continue to enjoy this hidden gem and all it has to offer.”

In Wales, the Green Flag Awards are overseen by Keep Wales Tidy. A third of the UK’s Green Flag sites are in Wales.

Meanwhile, 12 sites across the borough were awarded the Green Flag Community Award. These are:

• Aber Valley community allotments, Senghenydd
• Coed-y-Werin, Caerphilly
• Cefn Fforest Eco Park
• Michael Williams memorial garden, Bedwas
• Morgan Jones community allotments, Caerphilly
• Shingrig Road allotments, Nelson
• St Andrew’s community churchyard, Penyrheol, Caerphilly
• St Martin’s Church, Caerphilly
• Trethomas community allotments
• Taraggan educational gardens, Bargoed
• Waunfawr community garden, Crosskeys
• Windy Ridge allotments, Pontllanfraith

Seren Thomas, who volunteers at Morgan Jones community allotments, said the scheme “keeps us on our toes”.

She added: “There are so many things we plan to do. These include installing a sensory garden, introducing workshops and relaxation activities for volunteers. 

“Simon Beacham, area park manager [at Caerphilly Council] and his team have supported us fully and so has the local community, so we are really appreciative.

“Since we are now able to restart work on the allotment after lockdown, it has been full steam ahead – but all of us are so happy to be back.”

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, said: “The pandemic has shown just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities. For many of us, they have been a haven on our doorstep, benefitting our health and wellbeing.”