Judges are deliberating on whether Wisbech park will make it to the ninth year that they have earnt a Green Flag award.

Cambs Times: Smiling in the rain: (from left) Brian Massingham, Liz Appleton, Cllr David Oliver, Bob Ollier, Cllr Simon King Terry Jordan, Chris Gordon, Kevin WilkinsSmiling in the rain: (from left) Brian Massingham, Liz Appleton, Cllr David Oliver, Bob Ollier, Cllr Simon King Terry Jordan, Chris Gordon, Kevin Wilkins (Image: Archant)

The decision comes amid an invitation to anybody interested in using the newly refurbished park bandstand for music, drama or even tea parties.

Green Flag Judges are considering their verdict and if successful it would be the ninth year running that the park is awarded by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Judges Liz Appleton and Chris Gordon were given a guided tour by Bob Ollier, Fenland District Council’s parks and open spaces manager, and horticultural officer Kevin Wilkins.

Bob Ollier said: “We explained how over the past 18 months we’ve tried to take the park to the next level.

“We’ve changed some of the bedding to introduce sustainable planting, refurbished an existing pathway and installed two sets of double bay swings.

“We’ve also worked with the Bloom and Friends groups to create new cottage-style garden beds and a new winter garden.

“We’re now well over halfway to our target of getting 100 bird boxes up on trees around the park and we’ve introduced a new grassland maze, too.

“Once the bandstand’s refurbishment is completed – projected to be late June or early July – we’re looking to make it available for free use by local people for music, dance, drama, tea parties or whatever on Saturdays, as well as introducing Sunday band concerts.

“We’re working very closely with the town council to get more events in the park and make it an even more attractive place for everyone to enjoy.”

On their rounds they also met Wisbech Town Council’s leader councillor David Oliver and clerk Terry Jordan, councillor Simon King, chairman of the Friends of Wisbech Park, Wisbech In Bloom chairman Brian Massingham and Richard Coy and Tim Fowler from horticultural contractors ISS.

St Peter’s Gardens in Wisbech is also hoping to retain its Green Flag with an unannounced judging later in the year.

Anyone interested in making use of the bandstand should contact Bob Ollier on 01354 654321.

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