News
First Green Flag Award Demonstration Day in East Midlands
The Green Flag Award Scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in England, Wales and Scotland. GSEM has organised a Demonstration Day on Thursday 18 March 2010 at Brixworth County Park, Northamptonshire. This free event intends to provide a day to learn about the scheme, its award categories, their criteria, site and desk assessments, mystery shopper, the schemes timetable and award ceremony, through a morning of presentations and afternoon site visits.
This Demonstration Day is aimed at potential, new and existing applicants, who feel they would benefit from learning more about this schemes application process, its criteria and how sites are judged.
Greater understanding of the Green Flag Award scheme and how applications are judged will encourage the following outcomes for organisations:
To develop an informed decision about whether to apply for an award(s) or/and whether it is timely to apply now or later
To determine if any aspects of their site or site management may require changing or improvement
To enter a quality application(s)
To develop an understanding about how the schemes criteria could be used as a quality measure in organisation plans such as open spaces strategy
To develop awareness that the Green Flag Award scheme can be used to raise the profile of green spaces with elected members, organisational directors and other key stakeholders.
To book your place or for more information, please contact Ruth Rolls, Forum Manager at rrolls@gsem.org.uk or on 01604 807 771.
The Green Flag Award Scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in England, Wales and Scotland. GSEM has organised a Demonstration Day on Thursday 18 March 2010 at Brixworth County Park, Northamptonshire. This free event intends to provide a day to learn about the scheme, its award categories, their criteria, site and desk assessments, mystery shopper, the schemes timetable and award ceremony, through a morning of presentations and afternoon site visits.
This Demonstration Day is aimed at potential, new and existing applicants, who feel they would benefit from learning more about this schemes application process, its criteria and how sites are judged.
Greater understanding of the Green Flag Award scheme and how applications are judged will encourage the following outcomes for organisations:
To book your place or for more information, please contact Ruth Rolls, Forum Manager at rrolls@gsem.org.uk or on 01604 807 771.
First Northamptonshire Green Space forum meeting
GSEM has organised the first Northamptonshire Green Space forum meeting in Northamptonshire, which is kindly being hosted by Corby Borough Council at East Carlton Country Park on 25 February, 10am to 12.30pm.
On the day there will presentations from GreenSpace, GreenSpace East Midlands, Nottinghamshire Parks Officer Groups and Leicestershire Parks, Open Spaces and Countryside Network and Corby Borough Council.
For more information please contact Ruth Rolls, GreenSpace East Midlands Forum Manager on 01604 807 771 or rrolls@gsem.org.uk.
GSEM has organised the first Northamptonshire Green Space forum meeting in Northamptonshire, which is kindly being hosted by Corby Borough Council at East Carlton Country Park on 25 February, 10am to 12.30pm.
On the day there will presentations from GreenSpace, GreenSpace East Midlands, Nottinghamshire Parks Officer Groups and Leicestershire Parks, Open Spaces and Countryside Network and Corby Borough Council.
For more information please contact Ruth Rolls, GreenSpace East Midlands Forum Manager on 01604 807 771 or rrolls@gsem.org.uk.
IPGS launches website
The Institute of Parks and Green Spaces (IPGS) has launched a brand new website that will enable it to keep members fully up to date with its development and activities. The site contains a wealth of information, including membership details, news from the sector, upcoming training courses and policy position statements, which are constantly being updated.
IPGS is the UK’s only institute solely dedicated to parks and green spaces and related issues. It aims to advance the sustainable management and maintenance of parks and green spaces by promoting excellence in the profession and developing partnerships with others to help deliver its aims and objectives.
To find out more visit www.ipgs.org.uk
The Institute of Parks and Green Spaces (IPGS) has launched a brand new website that will enable it to keep members fully up to date with its development and activities. The site contains a wealth of information, including membership details, news from the sector, upcoming training courses and policy position statements, which are constantly being updated.
IPGS is the UK’s only institute solely dedicated to parks and green spaces and related issues. It aims to advance the sustainable management and maintenance of parks and green spaces by promoting excellence in the profession and developing partnerships with others to help deliver its aims and objectives.
To find out more visit www.ipgs.org.uk
Discovering Places
GreenSpace has been asked to play a central role in delivering Discovering Places in the region, an exciting project which is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is a major engagement programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will enable people, especially young people, around the UK to experience London 2012 in their town or street and to increase participation and capacity in cultural activity.
Three core values will be at the heart of every project:
• Inspiring and involving young people;
• welcoming the world (through internationalism or the celebration of UK communities); and
• delivering a positive legacy.
Discovering Places will explore the historical, built and natural environment and landscape of the UK through a series of open days, participation and performance events from 2010 onwards at both iconic and undiscovered urban and rural sites across the UK. This project is part of the ambition to encourage community regeneration and social inclusivity.
It is managed in partnership with Heritage Link and collaborates with organisations such as English Heritage, CABE, Natural England and the National Trust and is part-funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor.
The launch of Discovering Places is a weekend of activities focusing on the natural environment on people’s doorsteps over the May Bank Holiday weekend, 1-3 May 2010. If you are interested in participating or finding out more about the project, please contact Catharine Bull on C.Bull@heritagelink.org.uk or visit the website.
GreenSpace has been asked to play a central role in delivering Discovering Places in the region, an exciting project which is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is a major engagement programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will enable people, especially young people, around the UK to experience London 2012 in their town or street and to increase participation and capacity in cultural activity.
Three core values will be at the heart of every project:
• Inspiring and involving young people;
• welcoming the world (through internationalism or the celebration of UK communities); and
• delivering a positive legacy.
Discovering Places will explore the historical, built and natural environment and landscape of the UK through a series of open days, participation and performance events from 2010 onwards at both iconic and undiscovered urban and rural sites across the UK. This project is part of the ambition to encourage community regeneration and social inclusivity.
It is managed in partnership with Heritage Link and collaborates with organisations such as English Heritage, CABE, Natural England and the National Trust and is part-funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor.
The launch of Discovering Places is a weekend of activities focusing on the natural environment on people’s doorsteps over the May Bank Holiday weekend, 1-3 May 2010. If you are interested in participating or finding out more about the project, please contact Catharine Bull on C.Bull@heritagelink.org.uk or visit the website.
Towards an Excellent Service
Following the success of last year's Implementing TAES training courses, GreenSpace, supported by CABE Space and Communities and Local Government (CLG), can now offer further opportunities to access TAES training.
The two courses, Implementing TAES and the Peer-Led Challenge, will take place in central London on 25 January and 15-16 February respectively. Discounts are available for IPGS/LPGSF members and for organisations wishing to attend both courses.
Towards an Excellent Service (TAES) for Parks and Open Spaces is a parks specific version of the Excellence model that has helped transform the performance of cultural services and the perceptions about their impact on communities over recent years. More
Following the success of last year's Implementing TAES training courses, GreenSpace, supported by CABE Space and Communities and Local Government (CLG), can now offer further opportunities to access TAES training.
The two courses, Implementing TAES and the Peer-Led Challenge, will take place in central London on 25 January and 15-16 February respectively. Discounts are available for IPGS/LPGSF members and for organisations wishing to attend both courses.
Towards an Excellent Service (TAES) for Parks and Open Spaces is a parks specific version of the Excellence model that has helped transform the performance of cultural services and the perceptions about their impact on communities over recent years. More
New allotment forum in EM
Nearly £350,000 has been awarded to the national Allotments Regeneration Initiative. The grant will fund the ARI Mentor Network, to offer expert advice and support to local communities wanting to set up or rejuvenate allotment sites. Allotment managers will also benefit. Regional forums will be arranged to spread good practice in allotments management and build supportive networks.
The inaugural meeting for local authority allotment officers was held on 18 November at Abbey Park, Leicester. During the meeting Officers discussed allotment strategies, rents, health and safety, associations, water supply, vehicle access, wells, multi-plot allotment holders, disposal of allotment waste etc.
Their officers met Trevor Matthew, the East Midland Mentor. Through this voluntary role it is envisage that the forum will share information, network and meet every 6 months. For more information contact, Trevor on 0845 478 6313 or tmatthews.ari@googlemail.com
Nearly £350,000 has been awarded to the national Allotments Regeneration Initiative. The grant will fund the ARI Mentor Network, to offer expert advice and support to local communities wanting to set up or rejuvenate allotment sites. Allotment managers will also benefit. Regional forums will be arranged to spread good practice in allotments management and build supportive networks.
The inaugural meeting for local authority allotment officers was held on 18 November at Abbey Park, Leicester. During the meeting Officers discussed allotment strategies, rents, health and safety, associations, water supply, vehicle access, wells, multi-plot allotment holders, disposal of allotment waste etc.
Their officers met Trevor Matthew, the East Midland Mentor. Through this voluntary role it is envisage that the forum will share information, network and meet every 6 months. For more information contact, Trevor on 0845 478 6313 or tmatthews.ari@googlemail.com
Cultural and Sport Planning Toolkit
Living Spaces – cultural and sport planning toolkit was launched in March 2009, there has been a series of workshops including that last one held in East Midlands on 3 Dec. 2009.
The toolkit seeks to address: gaps in how planning policy addresses cultural and sporting uses and their spatial dimension; cultural and sport agencies’ roles in relation to the planning system; how tools have been developed either on a sector-specific basis or a geographical basis, but there is no single point of access.
The workshop expressed how nationally, planning has a key role to play in the creation of sustainable communities: communities that will stand the test of time, where people want to live, and which will enable people to meet their aspirations and potential (PPS1, 2005). Cultural activities have a key role in creating sustainable communities.
They are also looking for case studies. For more information contact Helen Cooper at helen.cooper@mla.gov.uk or see their website.
Living Spaces – cultural and sport planning toolkit was launched in March 2009, there has been a series of workshops including that last one held in East Midlands on 3 Dec. 2009.
The toolkit seeks to address: gaps in how planning policy addresses cultural and sporting uses and their spatial dimension; cultural and sport agencies’ roles in relation to the planning system; how tools have been developed either on a sector-specific basis or a geographical basis, but there is no single point of access.
The workshop expressed how nationally, planning has a key role to play in the creation of sustainable communities: communities that will stand the test of time, where people want to live, and which will enable people to meet their aspirations and potential (PPS1, 2005). Cultural activities have a key role in creating sustainable communities.
They are also looking for case studies. For more information contact Helen Cooper at helen.cooper@mla.gov.uk or see their website.
Community Spaces Success in East Midlands
The programme is still open for small and medium grants (£10,000 to £49,999) until 2011, but is now closed for large or flagship grant. East Midlands is slight lower than the national average in applications received, therefore Groundwork welcomes and encourages more applications.
The programme is still open for small and medium grants (£10,000 to £49,999) until 2011, but is now closed for large or flagship grant. East Midlands is slight lower than the national average in applications received, therefore Groundwork welcomes and encourages more applications.
Please ensure your application is eligible by checking the criteria carefully. Unfortunately about one quarter of applications received are ineligible.
Community Spaces grants are available to community groups across England. Anyone wishing to apply should request an application pack by calling 0845 3 671 671 or visiting www.community-spaces.org.uk
John Greasley, Chair of Friends of Bennion Pools, said, “We’re incredibly excited about the community being so involved in this project. New paths will make it accessible for wheelchairs and prams, and we have great plans for environmental games and activities for local children.”
The Friends of Bennion Pools group is hoping to launch their project to the public at the beginning of July