'Jewel in crown' park vies for top accolade

BEAUTIFUL green space . . . Alexandra Park

OLDHAM'S Alexandra Park has been nominated for the Green Flag People's Choice Award.

It already boasts a Green Flag Award, but it is now in the running for the additional prestigious accolade.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Green Flag Awards and, to celebrate the milestone, there will be 10 People's Choice winners, all voted for by the public, as opposed to the usual single winner.

Voting is now open and will close at noon on Friday, September 30, with the winner announced in October.

Sparked

The 25-hectare Alexandra Park, opened in 1865, was built by the people of Oldham during the cotton famine sparked by the American Civil War, which prevented the export of raw cotton from America to Oldham.

The green space was named in commemoration of the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and is one of only 30 parks in the North-West to have a Grade II listing due to its national importance.

The park offers a range of facilities including crown green bowling, tennis courts, orienteering and a play area. It is also home to The Hub, a community allotment, which is part of the Get Oldham Growing programme.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "The Green Flag awarded to Alexandra Park recognises Oldham Council's commitment to providing high standard green spaces for our residents.

"For the park to have now been nominated for this award is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff. Alexandra Park is the jewel in the borough's crown. It provides great leisure opportunities and its many facilities draw people to visit it from across the borough and beyond."

Register your People's Choice vote at www.greenflagaward.org/park-summary