Category Archives: Uncategorised

Flag-Raising ceremony – 3 September 2018

On 3 September at 10.00am, the Mayor of Silloth, Councillor Tony Markley will host a short flag-raising ceremony at the Community Garden on Silloth Green (on the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace).

A Royal Ensign flag will be flown to mark the week-long celebrations taking place nationally in support of the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy, who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars, and to celebrate our dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports.

Youngsters create murals with a message

Cumberland News  – 20 July 2018       Web:  www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/

Silloth Green is recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces

Today, a record number of parks and green spaces collect a Green Flag Award

Silloth Green in Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world.

The Green is among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Silloth Green is one of the largest village greens in the North of England. It boasts spectacular views over the Solway Firth to Criffel and the Caerlaverock Hills in the North, and the Lake District to the South. The Green forms a green link between Silloth’s grand Victorian townscape and the sea front promenade, for many years attracting visitors seeking fresh sea air and recreational facilities.

After extensive refurbishment work, the Green now boasts a modern Water Splash play area, a woodland adventure play area, a Putting Green and a BMX track. Beautiful oak picnic tables and benches are to be found in various locations, with accessible footpaths. Along Criffel Street, some Victorian style lighting was installed, in-keeping with the heritage of the town. The Edwardian ladies’ toilets built in 1910 and the spectacular Victorian pagoda overlooking the sea were also sympathetically refurbished.  A new addition to Silloth Green this year is the fairy trail through the pines for kids to explore and there are plans for a new 0-5yrs Children’s play area which is to be installed in the coming weeks.  Another new addition is a replica Hudson Bomber built by skilled apprentices from Gen2 at Workington which is sited above a flowerbed, planted out in the shape of an RAF roundel, to celebrate the 100^th birthday of the RAF.

The Green’s Community Garden, situated on the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace, was designed with input from local people.  The garden was opened in May 2014 and is cared for by dedicated volunteers.  The Heritage Rose and Bee Garden is situated closer to the sea, with a bee hotel in the middle of a striking display of rose bushes, plants and shrubs which have created a haven for the local bee and butterfly population, again cared for by dedicated volunteers.

Cllr. Tony Markley, Mayor of Silloth said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the sixth year which could only be achieved by the hard work of our community volunteers, grounds maintenance team and Town Council staff.”

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Silloth Green to such a high standard.”

Cllr. Bill Jefferson, Chair of the Parks Committee said

“Silloth Green has become a nationally significant treasure thanks to six successive green flags, has gained national exposure thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society and Britain in Bloom and enjoys a first-class reputation with visitors and locals alike thanks to the dedication of our grounds maintenance team and the number of innovative projects realised over the last decade. The setting and sunsets are simply the best and we are all so fortunate to have this incredible green space as part of our daily lives where we can walk in peace and play host to activities and events for all ages and interests enjoying the fullest support from our community and its volunteers – many of them unsung heroes. Who would not want to come to Silloth?”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.”

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

Less than a week until the UK’s best parks and green spaces are announced

We are excitedly awaiting Monday 16 July, when the UK’s very best parks and green spaces will be announced – winners of the Green Flag, and Green Flag Community, Awards. 

The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Purpose & aims

• To ensure that everybody has access to quality green and other open spaces, irrespective of where they live.
• To ensure that these spaces are appropriately managed and meet the needs of the communities that they serve.
• To establish standards of good management.
• To promote and share good practice amongst the green space sector.
• To recognise and reward the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers.

The Green Flag accreditations team have travelled the country, visiting the parks and green spaces – talking to park staff, green-space managers and volunteer groups and very soon the Green Flags will be proudly flying over the country’s very best green spaces.

While you wait, why not start planning your next trip to Silloth Green which has been awarded a Green Flag for the last five years and recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces.  Enjoy a picnic on the Green. Visit the water splash park, the woodland play area or BMX track with the kids.  Relax in the Community garden and keep an eye out for the bees and butterflies in the Heritage Rose and Bee garden. Explore the fairy trail in the pines and have a go on the ‘Gnome in One’ putting green or simply sit and relax on one of the many seats located around the Green.

Many of us have fantastic memories that started in a park – whether it’s flying a kite with our grandads, time spent with friends, teaching our own children to walk, or a hundred other things – parks bring people together.

That’s why – this Love Parks Week, 13-22 July 2018 – everyone is invited to get down to their local park or green space and celebrate all the amazing things that ‘started in a park’.

http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/it-started-park

Rogue Traders

Rogue traders are any ‘company’ or individual who offers services on the doorstep, often with little or no means of identification, and go on to fleece or rip off their victims.

Like distraction burglars, rogue traders will knock on the door, saying they are working in the area, and will point out something like a loose tile on the person’s roof or that their drive needs resurfacing. They grossly over charge and then come back again and again, taking more money each time. They may even charge without completing the work.

The victims

Victims are often vulnerable, elderly and/or isolated people who know nothing of these scams and so are trusting of anyone who is friendly or seems knowledgeable and genuine. After they have become a victim, they often feel ashamed and/or scared and so don’t tell anyone. This not only means the original scam goes unreported but it also makes it easy for the rogue trader to return for more.

The stress of the victim’s shame or fear may also go on to cause physical or mental health problems. And even if the traders are reported they are often untraceable as they will have given the victim false contact details or none at all.

Please report any incidents that either you, or someone you know, has experienced with bogus callers or rogue traders who call at your door.

Reporting a Rogue Trader

If you experience any suspicious traders who call at your door offering to carry out work, or have been a victim of a doorstep rogue trader, please telephone 999.