Northwood Cemetery has once again been recognised for its high standards, receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award for the eighth year in a row.
The award is the international benchmark for parks and green spaces, and the cemetery is one of 2,250 sites across the UK to be honoured this year.
A tribute to dedicated care
The achievement reflects the ongoing efforts of the Friends of Northwood Cemetery in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council. Their work ensures the site remains a welcoming and well-maintained place for both residents and visitors to enjoy.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said,
“Congratulations to everyone involved in Northwood Cemetery who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.”
He added,
“Quality parks and green spaces like Northwood Cemetery make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.”
A green space for community and wellbeing
Paul Todd also acknowledged the role that Northwood Cemetery plays in the lives of local people, saying,
“Crucially, Northwood Cemetery is a vital green space for communities in the Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard areas to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise.”
He continued,
“It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
Pride in community involvement
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It highlights the importance of well-managed public spaces across the country.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Northwood Cemetery said,
“We are delighted that we have again been successful in being awarded Green Flag status, this being our eighth year in succession.”
They added,
“This is a tremendous achievement for the ‘Friends of Northwood Cemetery’ and once again the only site on the Island to do so.
“Our thanks go out to all the members of the ‘Conservation Team’ who help to maintain the grounds in such good order, the team who provide support in the Heritage Resource Centre, all our members and members of the public who support our fundraising activities, not forgetting all those who visit the site attending the graves of lost loved ones, for recreational purposes or just absorbing the tranquillity and natural beauty of the site.”
