Clapham Common, Lambeth’s biggest and most popular green open space, has been awarded a Green Flag, publicly recognising it as one of the very best in not only the United Kingdom but also the world.

Clapham Common joins fourteen other sites in the borough which already hold this coveted award.

This international award, now into its third decade, is judged annually by experienced independent judges and is a sign to the public that a site flying a Green Flag boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is safe, welcoming, accessible to all, well maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Councillor Sonia Winifred, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, said “I’m absolutely delighted that Lambeth now has fifteen Green Flag Awards, as well as three Green Flag Community Awards, which is yet another increase in the number we have in the borough. I’m especially pleased that Clapham Common has secured the right to fly the Green Flag at its first attempt. The Common is such an important and popular place not just for our own residents, but also those of our neighbouring boroughs as well as visitors from across the whole of London and even the world. Working with the local community we have ambitious plans to make Clapham Common even better for all to enjoy, as we have for all of the borough’s other parks and open spaces.”

“We know how important quality parks, commons and other open spaces are to our residents, and Lambeth’s growing collection of awards is a public celebration of the dedication and hard work being put in by them as well as our own staff towards maintaining them to the high standards that are expected by Green Flag Award.”

Simon Millson, Chair of Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC), said: “We are honoured to be presented with a Green Flag Award. It is a tribute to the hardworking volunteers working constructively in partnership with Lambeth Council who make Clapham Common a jewel in the crown of our local community. We have made excellent progress over recent years upgrading facilities and improving the way the Common is managed and we have plans for further developments, ensuring we have a thriving and treasured Common today and for future generations to come.”

Lambeth’s award winning sites for 2018 are as follows:

Green Flag Award: Archbishop’s Park, Brockwell Park, Clapham Common, Eardley Road Sidings Nature Reserve, Hillside Gardens Park, Kennington Park, Milkwood Community Park, Myatt’s Fields Park, Palace Road Nature Garden, Ruskin Park, St. John’s Churchyard, St. Paul’s Churchyard, Streatham Rookery, Vauxhall Park and West Norwood Cemetery.

Green Heritage Award: Brockwell Park

Green Flag Community Award: Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, Eden at St. Paul’s Churchyard, and Windmill Gardens

The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more.We are run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

Any green space that is accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award.  Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status.  A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.

Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee works with Lambeth Council to manage Clapham Common. It is made up of three Lambeth Councillors (from Clapham Town and Clapham Common wards), ten elected community representatives and representatives from the Friends of Clapham Common, Clapham Society and Bandstand Beds. Website – https://claphamcommon.info