South Kesteven District Council

Nominations have been pouring in for South Kesteven District Council’s SK Community Awards.

The final cut-off for acceptance of nominations is Monday 8 August at 12 noon and organisers are urging people not to miss the chance to shine a spotlight on special people and groups within the district – including school projects which can win a £500 first prize.

SKDC will then shortlist nominations across the seven award categories for final judging, ready for a prestigious winners’ presentation evening on Friday 21 October in Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre ballroom.

Cllr Annie Mason, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Safer Communities said: “Once again we have been made aware of some incredible people within our communities.

“We have some superb nominations right across the board and I am incredibly humbled to see the lengths people go to for others.

“Our nominations truly make a difference to those around them and I wasn’t to thank all those who are helping to recognise them.

“I am particularly pleased to see schools entering our new Schools Green award, and we owe thanks to Upp Broadband for their very generous £500 first prize to the winning school. Children are our future for the environment and conservation, and I look forward to seeing this award recognising work going on in our schools.”

Awards cover a range of community activities in seven categories; Lifetime Community Champion, Business and the Community, Good Neighbour, Inspirational Young Person, Health and Wellbeing, Neil Smith Beyond the Call of Duty and School Green Award.

Nominate online though SKDC’s website http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/SKAwards2022 or call the Community Engagement Team on 01476 406181 if you’d like a paper version of the nomination form.

All three of South Kesteven District Council’s public parks in Grantham have been rated as being among the best in the country.

It is the first time that Wyndham, Queen Elizabeth and Dysart parks have each been awarded coveted Green Flag status in the same year.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, said: “These awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in looking after the parks, including the many volunteers who contribute so much.

“Green Flag status is a mark of excellence for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and it only goes to the best in the country, so for all three of Grantham’s parks to have made the grade in the same year is a fantastic achievement.”

It is the first ever Green Flag Award for Dysart Park, while Queen Elizabeth has maintained the standard for a second year.

Wyndham Park in Grantham | Photo: SKDC

The Dysart Park site was given to the people of Grantham in 1908 by Sir Lionel William John Manners, late Earl of Dysart. In his will he gave precise instructions that the land should be used for recreation purposes only.

The 25-acre Queen Elizabeth Park was established in 1980 to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and is popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Wyndham Park, where a £1million restoration to its former glory as a World War One memorial park was completed in 2018, receives its 11th consecutive award and has also retained Green Heritage Site accreditation for a third year in recognition of effective management of its historic features.

The Green Flag scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, sets the benchmark for the management of recreational outdoor space in the UK and around the world.

SKDC’s Cabinet member for People and Safer Communities, Cllr Annie Mason, said: “When a Green Flag flies it shows that an area is maintained to the highest of standards.

“Our parks are extremely popular and so important for our mental wellbeing. These awards are an acknowledgement of all the hard work that goes into maintaining them.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these parks worthy of Green Flag Awards. They are testament to the work of staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure they maintain the high standards demanded by the awards.”

Dysart Park in Grantham | Photo: SKDC