COMMUNITIES in the Amman, Gwendraeth and Swansea Valleys have been rewarded for their efforts in keeping their spaces tidy, by receiving Green Flags.

Keep Wales Tidy recently revealed that 280 sites across Wales have been given the Green Flag or Green Flag Community Awards.

The award means that the parks and green spaces have met high quality standards across a number of categories including environmental efforts, excellent visitor facilities and community involvement.

Cllr Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration, leisure culture and tourism said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Green Flag Award for three of our beautiful green spaces.

“In Carmarthenshire, we are lucky to have these spaces and we look forward to the opportunities that will come from these awards.”

Green Flag Award winners include:

Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park (near Tumble);

Llyn Lech Owain Country Park.

Green Flag Community Award winners include:

Amman Valley Trotting Club;

Glantawe Riverside Park (Pontardawe);

Swansea Canal (Pontardawe);

Cilybebyll Community Growers;

Coedbach Park (Pontarddulais);

Pontyberem Park.

Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing said: “We are pleased to be working with Keep Wales Tidy and volunteers across the county borough to protect our park environments for now and for the future.

"The benefits our parks and green spaces bring to people’s lives are immense, as any of our volunteers will tell you.” 

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator for Keep Wales Tidy, said: “Free access to safe high quality green space has never been more important.

“Our award-winning sites play a vital role in people’s mental and physical wellbeing, providing a haven for communities to come together, relax and enjoy nature.

“News that 280 parks and green spaces in Wales have achieved Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work of hundreds of staff and volunteers. We’re delighted to be able to celebrate their success on the world stage.”

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

The full list of winners can be found at www.keepwalestidy.cymru