Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust is celebrating today after Arnos Vale Cemetery received a prestigious Green Flag Community Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of its dedicated volunteers in caring for one of Bristol's most treasured green spaces.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the internationally recognised Green Flag Award scheme, with a record-breaking 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK receiving Green Flag recognition.

The Green Flag Community Award celebrates the efforts of volunteer groups that work tirelessly to protect, manage and enhance their local green spaces. At Arnos Vale, the award reflects the extraordinary commitment of the Trust's outdoor volunteers, who contributed 5,065 hours of hands-on conservation work over the past year. Their efforts have helped conserve the cemetery's unique heritage, improve habitats for wildlife and ensure the site remains a welcoming place for visitors, learning and remembrance.

At 45 acres, Arnos Vale Cemetery is the largest area of semi-natural habitat in central Bristol, comprising ancient woodland, scrub and species-rich grassland. Careful land management, together with the commitment of volunteers, continues to enhance this unique landscape and strengthen biodiversity across the site.

Ann Fiddler, CEO of Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, said:

"We're absolutely delighted to receive this Green Flag Community Award, which is first and foremost a celebration of our volunteers. Their passion, knowledge and commitment are at the heart of everything we achieve at Arnos Vale.

"Over the past year alone, our volunteers have contributed more than 5,000 hours caring for this extraordinary place. Their work has helped restore habitats, increase biodiversity and conserve an important part of Bristol's heritage, while ensuring Arnos Vale remains a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

"As the largest area of semi-natural habitat in central Bristol, Arnos Vale plays a vital role for both people and wildlife. This award recognises what can be achieved when a community comes together to care for a place that is rich in history, nature and meaning."

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:

"Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don't feel safe or welcoming.

"With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it's a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people's quality of life.

"Arnos Vale Cemetery have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.

"Congratulations to everyone involved."

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. The scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.