'Incredible' year for Leighton-Linslade at Green Flag Awards

Rushmere Country Park has achieved its Green Flag award for 2026, while Linslade Wood has received a Green Flag Community Award in honour of "the incredible contribution" of its volunteers.

Leighton-Linslade Town Council said it was "delighted" and "proud" that its green spaces have scooped an "incredible" nine awards.

The town council has retained Green Flag Awards for:

> Pages Park

> Parson's Close Recreation Ground

> Linslade Memorial Playing Fields and Garden of Remembrance

> Linslade Recreation Ground

> Vandyke Road Cemetery

It is also celebrating four new awards:

> Peace Meadow: Green Flag Award

> Pages Park Community Garden: Community Award

> Linslade Recreation Ground Community Garden: Community Award

> Vandyke Road Cemetery: Heritage Award

A Leighton-Linslade Town Council spokesman said: "These awards reflect the dedication, care and hard work of our staff and volunteers, who help keep these wonderful spaces looking their best for everyone to enjoy.

"A huge thank you to everyone who made this achievement possible. We look forward to sharing more about each award and celebrating these fantastic spaces with you over the coming weeks."

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman added: "A huge thank you to our partners Greensand Trust and Houghton Regis Town Council for their continued support in securing Green Flag status, as well as the dedicated volunteer Friends’ groups whose hard work and commitment help maintain these valued green spaces to such a high standard for residents and visitors to enjoy.

"Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in this fantastic achievement."

The Green Flag Award is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and is an international benchmark for excellence in parks and green spaces. It recognises sites that are "safe, welcoming, well-maintained and sustainably managed", celebrating the efforts of staff and volunteers.