Walsall garden awarded coveted green flag for fifth year running 

A community garden in the heart of Walsall is flying the flag as one of the nation’s best green spaces for the fifth year in a row.

Caldmore Community Garden has received a Green Flag Community Award in recognition of the contribution made by local residents to managing and maintaining the open space for public benefit.

The garden, which is managed by Caldmore Village Festival Group, is leased from leading Midlands’ landlord whg and supported by Walsall Council. It was established in 2011 on a piece of derelict land. Since then it has grown into a community hub where local people can grow their own food, learn new skills, meet new friends and have fun.

Fay Shanahan, Corporate Director of Operations at whg, said: “Caldmore Village Festival Group have created an amazing green space and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“We know how vital green spaces are for communities, in bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. Caldmore Community Garden is an amazing facility that is providing respite and a sanctuary for people struggling with their mental health, isolation or loneliness and supporting people from diverse backgrounds to connect and grow together.”

Mohammed Arif, Chairman of Caldmore Village Festival, said: “The staff and volunteers have continued to give up their valuable time to keep the garden open to the public, as a vital piece of open space, in a built-up area.

“I want to extend my congratulations to everyone involved in helping us to maintain the Green Flag status. We are proud of our Green Flag flying high.

“On behalf of Caldmore Village Festival Board, I want to thank our core partners whg and Walsall Council for their continued support. We also recognise the role key funders like The National Lottery Community Fund, Tudor Trust, Heart of England Community Fund, People’s Health Trust, Children in Need, and West Midlands Combined Authority have played in help us to achieve this status.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.