A ‘HOIST the flag’ ceremony has taken place at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, in Barry, in celebration of its green award on Wednesday, September 13.

The green flag will flying in the burial grounds in recognition of its excellent facilities and commitment to delivering great quality green space for a second year.

Keep Wales Tidy unveiled this year’s Green Flag Award winners in July this year.

The award is the international mark of a quality park or green space.

In total, 183 parks and green spaces in Wales met the high standard needed to receive the coveted Green Flag Award or the Green Flag Community Award.

Barry mayor, councillor Nic Hodges thanked all staff involved in maintaining the cemetery to the high standard.

The Green Flag Award scheme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government. It is judged by green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.

Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag coordinator, Lucy Prisk said:

“The Green Flag Award is all about connecting people with the very best parks and green spaces. Keep Wales Tidy is proud to run the scheme in Wales because we know having a good quality environment can have a big impact on our communities, health and well-being, and economy.

“I’d like to congratulate Barry Town Council and thank everyone who works tirelessly to maintain the standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. I’d encourage everyone to get outdoors and explore the diverse range of fantastic facilities we have on our doorstep.”