KNUTSFORD cemetery has received the prestigious Green Flag Award, an international quality mark for the management of parks and green spaces.

Knutsford Town Council has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of management of the cemetery and bereavement services, since taking over responsibility for it in 2020.

Visitors and residents have expressed their thanks and appreciation for the recognised the investment and improvemenets.

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Mayor Cllr Mike Houghton said: “Attaining the award is testament to the quality of management the town council has instigated, through our cemetery working group, since we took back its operation two years ago.

“The award particularly recognises the work of our cemetery groundskeeper Fergal Owens, who has worked incredibly hard to improve the quality of grounds maintenance and our planning and facilities officer Bob Allen who has put in place strong management practices.”

The council will be continuing to improve the cemetery and deliver on its new five-year management plan.

A new cremation garden is being created and later this year improvements will be made to the entrance.

Plans are also in place to add extra flowerbeds and parking for cyclists.

The council is also looking to improve feedback and communication with the public.

Knutsford Cemetery is the third green space in Knutsford to be awarded the Green Flag, joining The Moor and Tatton Park.

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