John Pullen, Barry Sowerby and Roger Williams, Friends of Northwood Cemetery and Janice Lord, registration and bereavement services manager at Isle of Wight Council
John Pullen, Barry Sowerby and Roger Williams, Friends of Northwood Cemetery and Janice Lord, registration and bereavement services manager at Isle of Wight Council

Volunteers’ efforts recognised as Northwood Cemetery secures seventh Green Flag accolade

The Friends of Northwood Cemetery are today (Wednesday) celebrating after being awarded a coveted Green Flag Award.

The accolade is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.

“An achievement of which we are all immensely proud”
A spokesperson for the Friends of Northwood Cemetery said,

“This is the seventh year in succession that we have been successful in achieving Green Flag status — the result of the tremendous hard work and dedication of a small team of volunteers, supported by the Isle of Wight Council; an achievement of which we are all immensely proud.

“We continue to work hard on both the visual appearance of the cemetery and encouraging members of the public to share and enjoy all the facilities we have on offer.

“This award justifies our confidence in helping provide a safe, welcoming green space in Cowes and a place that supports the wellbeing of the local community.”

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

Todd: Northwood Cemetery is a vital green space for communities
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd, said,

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Northwood Cemetery on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Northwood Cemetery is a vital green space for communities in Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard to socialise, enjoy nature whilst providing a safe and welcoming environment for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that volunteers work tirelessly to ensure it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”


News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed