Four cemeteries and two parks in Manchester have retained their green flag status and another cemetery has been awarded this accolade for the first time.
For many, cemeteries are both a place of peaceful contemplation and remembrance but also a valued green space found in amongst our urban communities.
The Bereavement Services Team for Manchester City Council work year round to ensure that these spaces are the best that they can be, with these Green Flag Awards testament to that hard work.
Manchester General Cemetery, in Harpurhey, has been awarded a Green Flag this year – the first in its history.
No longer a working cemetery, Harpurhey Cemetery had over time succumbed to anti-social behaviour and littering, sadly diminishing its overall amenity. However, through the hard work of the Philips Park Cemetery team, improvements have made been across the board in Harpurhey which has resulted in this historic first Green Flag award.
The Manchester cemeteries which have retained their existing Green Flag status are Blackley, Gorton, Philips Park and the Southern Cemetery.
There were also celebrations for the city's parks, with Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park - two of the city's most beloved green spaces - have retained their green flag status as well.
Mayfield Park, another significant public space in Manchester has also been awarded a Green Flag for the first time.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: “The Green Flag programme is a benchmark for excellent across our parks and cemeteries and I’m incredibly proud to see that five cemeteries and two parks have been recognised this year.
“I am especially proud of Manchester General Cemetery in Harpurhey given the incredible effort and care put into it by my colleagues to bring it up to Green Flag status.
“Not only is this about caring and tending to an environment which allows people to remember and reflect, but also to experience and enjoy nature within our communities.”