A BARRY cemetery has achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation.

Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, on Cemetery Road in Barry, has achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation this year.

This special award, endorsed by Cadw, recognises sites that are both historically significant and meet Green Flag criteria, which includes:

  • Being a welcoming place
  • Being healthy, safe, and secure
  • Being well-maintained and clean
  • Being environmentally managed
  • Boasting biodiversity, landscape, and heritage

248 parks and green spaces across Wales have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award.

The flag will be flying at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery in recognition of its excellent facilities and commitment to delivering great quality green space.

The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from the Welsh Government.

Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.

Julie James, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, said “Green spaces are vital for mental and physical wellbeing and throughout the pandemic we have seen how important these spaces have been for local communities.

“Wales still holds more than a third of the UK’S Green Flag community sites and it is fantastic to see more places in Wales receiving Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award.

“These landscapes play a vital role in delivering rich ecosystems and vibrant and resilient communities, and I congratulate all of the sites for providing excellent, year-round facilities and events for people in Wales.”

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, added: “The pandemic showed us just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities.

!With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru