Castle Meadows in Abergavenny has joined the ranks of the best green spaces in Wales, after being granted a Green Flag Award this week. Wales' leading environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy (KWT), announced the long awaited results of the Green Flag Awards for parks and green spaces in Wales on Monday, and Castle Meadows is among the 65 parks and 37 community-managed green spaces to be recognised this year. The Green Flag Award is a UK-wide partnership, delivered in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. It recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces in the country as well as helping to drive up the quality of green space. The spaces are recognised for their excellent facilities as well as their commitment to delivering great quality green space for communities in Wales. County councillor Giles Howard, Monmouthshire's cabinet member for Environment and Countryside said, "It's a source of great pride to us that three of our parks have been recognised as worthy of the Green Flag Award and have added to the accolades bestowed previously.  "Monmouthshire is a beautiful county and Abergavenny's Castle Meadows is among the venues that people flock to visit.  I am particularly pleased that the awards recognise the effort and role of the volunteers at each site." Joanna Friedli, KWT Green Flag Co-ordinator added, "Green Flag Award is a prestigious award for the best parks and green spaces. It's great to see so many local authorities and volunteers in Wales striving for the best possible standards, contributing to tourism and the economy of Wales The Friends of Castle Meadows have also welcomed the news, and expressed their thanks to Monmouthshire County Council Green Valleys, and Keep Wales Tidy. Helen Trevor Davies from the group said, "We are delighted to have been given the Green Flag Award, and it is wonderful to have all of the hard work that goes into maintaining this space rewarded." Anthea Fairy from the group added, "The meadow is a unique one, being the only publicly accessible flood plain meadow in the Usk Valley, and we hope that this award can make more people come down to see the wonderful space we have so close to Abergavenny Town." And the pair have also expressed their hope that this award may deter people from letting their dogs foul on the site. Helen said, "We have noticed a problem with this, and while many dog owners are responsible there are a handful that are not. I hope this award shows people what a great area this is, and encourages them to pick up after their dogs." If you want to help the Friends of Castle Meadows keep this site at its best, you can volunteer with them by coming to one of their sessions. This month's sessions run from 10am to 12 noon on August 2, 7, 16 and 21. No experience is needed, and the group relax after their session at the Hen and Chickens.

•For more information about the award, visit greenflagaward.org, and for more about the Friends of Castle Meadows visit friendsofcastlemeadows.wordpress.com