Six areas in Powys are among 248 parks and green spaces in Wales that have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award.

They include a diverse range of sites, from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.

The locations in Powys are Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens, Llandrindod Pomarium, Llangattock Memorial Garden, Severn Farm Ponds, The Warden, and Watton Allotment Association. The green spaces have all been awarded the Green Flag Community Award.

Trawsnewid Llandrindod Transition and Friends of Rock Park have jointly set up a community orchard in Llandrindod, known as Llandrindod Pomarium. The orchard has had fantastic community support from the start, with all trees sponsored by local residents and organisations. The site provides fruit for all the community, with a wide variety of fruit trees and bushes, including apples, pears, plums, cherries, currants and gooseberries. It is also a popular area for gathering blackberries and sloes.

Watton Allotments are an incredibly well maintained site for the local community. Welcoming to new members and visitors alike, the allotment is located right in the heart of Brecon and within walking distance of the town and its canal. Theatr Brycheiniog is also nearby. Facilities have been provided for disabled gardeners and Brecon & District MIND.

In Llangattock, the Duke of Beaufort bequeathed the land for which was to become Llangattock Recreation Ground 70 years ago on condition that a memorial garden was included within it.

The Recreation Ground is a green open space edged with mature trees and spectacular views towards Llangattock Escarpment. The Memorial Garden has been planned and driven forward by voluntary Community Councillors, Gail Jones and Ann Williams, and designed to embrace the mountain views whilst being far enough away from houses to be a place of peaceful reflection, surrounded by shrubs, flowers and bulbs providing colour, interest and fragrance for every season.

Now in its third decade, the international Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that a park or green space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Wales still holds more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites, which are maintained and run by volunteers.

Julie James, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, said: “Green spaces are vital for mental and physical well-being and throughout the pandemic we have seen how important these spaces have been for local communities.

“These landscapes play a vital role in delivering rich ecosystems and vibrant and resilient communities, and I congratulate all of the sites for providing excellent, year-round facilities and events for people in Wales.”

The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government. Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said:

“The pandemic showed us just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities. With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”