Tremough House illuminated © Neal Megaw / © Mayn Creative

Penryn Campus retains Green Flag Award

Penryn Campus gardens and grounds have been recognised by the international Green Flag Award Scheme as among the very best in the world, for the fourth year in a row.

To celebrate the achievement, Penryn Campus joined buildings and landmarks across the country – including the White Cliffs of Dover, the London Stadium and Salford’s Media City – in ‘going green’ when Tremough House was illuminated on Wednesday 14 October.

As well as a celebration, this was also intended to say a massive thank you to employees, volunteers and the Green Flag Award Judges for their work this year.

Penryn Campus is shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall, and the historic grounds are open to the public. Both universities are dedicated to sustainability under the Climate Emergency banner and a key part of this involves supporting green spaces and biodiversity on campus.

Oliver Lane, FX Plus Director of Residences and Facilities, whose Grounds Team maintain Penryn Campus, said: “We’re delighted to have retained our Green Flag and are excited to be joining many famous venues around the country ‘going green’.

“Winning the Green Flag this year is set against the background of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has made it even harder for our Grounds Team to work and ensure the campus remains beautiful, sustainable and safe. A big thanks to the team – headed by Toby Nenning.”

The Green Flag Award scheme (link is external), managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world. Now into its third decade, the award is a sign that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Penryn Campus has achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Penryn Campus grounds blend historic sub-tropical planting with newly created landscapes and are a haven for a diverse range of plant and animal species. The gardens are open to everyone and include a walled garden; herbaceous beds; sub-tropical planting; fruit producing orchard; Italian garden and terraces; an 18th Century lime avenue; parkland; a drive with Pinetum native woodlands and historic rare rhododendrons which were cultivated on the site in the Victorian era.

For more information about this year’s winners see http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/news/uk-winners-2020/ (link is external)

Date: 15 October 2020