Enfield Council was celebrating this week as it learned that Forty Hall Park was one of the sites commended by Green Flag in its ‘Bees Needs’ award.
This special award celebrates the importance of bees, and showcases open spaces that help these important insects thrive across towns, cities and the wider countryside.
Forty Hall Park won the award thanks to a joint effort by the Friends of Forty Hall and Enfield Council. Judges were impressed by the increased planting of species that encouraged pollination and the careful management of the grounds with bees in mind. The park was also credited with its creation of winter habitats and workshops for children to increase education on the importance of bees.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Daniel Anderson, said “Our lives, and the world, would be a very different place without bees. Bees are the main pollinators of flowers and crops, and our modern food system relies upon them.
“Unfortunately, nationwide, bees are in steep decline, which is mainly due to the loss of habitat, but also because of the pesticides that are being used. I am therefore delighted to see that the sterling work being undertaken at Forty Hall to help promote bees is having an impact and that Green Flag have recognised this”.
Jo-Ann Brown, from the Friends of Forty Hall Park said “The Friends, Enfield Council and the gardening staff at Forty Hall have been working really hard to make Forty Hall Park bee friendly.
“When we plant and cultivate the grounds we are always thinking about what plants would make it easier for bees to pollinate and thrive, and our education projects, teaching children about why we must protect and encourage bees, will make the next generation continue the conservation effort.
“It’s great we have won this award, but our work will continue.”