Dedicated On the Verge volunteers ensure Green Flag flies for the first time at Woodlands Community Garden, Talgarth

The Woodlands Avenue Play Park has been transformed by a group of dedicated volunteers of all ages into a Community Garden alongside the play area with raised beds full of vegetables available for the community, a wildflower meadow area, bug hotels, mini orchard, composting area, sheds, a quiet area and a tree stump seating circle. All part of On The Verge's initiative to show how small actions can have a big impact on wildlife, people and the future. 

Chair of On The Verge, Talgarth, Martin Draper said "I am very proud to fly the Green Flag Community Award for the first time.  It reflects the hard work, knowledge and skills of all our volunteers and I thank them all for making a big difference".

Martin Draper is the enthusiastic founder, driving force and Chair of On The Verge, Talgarth, who is making a real difference through education, encouragement and practical environmental projects. His passion is preserving and creating wildlife habitats and inspiring the next generation. From its origins in 2019 in Talgarth to leave local verges unmown and create a Community Garden, he has brought together a group of like-minded volunteers and created the 1Metre Matters brand, an initiative which is now being adopted far and wide. He has put in place working arrangements with a number of councils, government bodies, and respected bodies in the environment arena across Wales and England. His message is that just 1metre can provide essential habitat and improve the biodiversity in our green spaces.

Martin tirelessly campaigns for people of all ages not be overwhelmed by environmental issues but to concentrate on choosing 1 metre of their space and be responsible for the upturn in the insects lives and the proliferation of our natural world. He uses his own and the group's many years of experience in creating and maintaining wildlife habitats to help others make their contribution towards increasing the pollinator numbers and helping bio-diversity in their own spaces. He is instrumental in the success of On The Verge, making a difference not only by improving our landscape's health and variety, but by encouraging and advising people to take a more proactive and sympathetic stance to the way we treat our natural world.

The Green Flag Award scheme was founded 30 years ago and recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world. 

In Wales, the awards scheme is run by Keep Wales Tidy. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: 

“Wales is truly setting the standard when it comes to outstanding green spaces, with 330 places recognised in this year’s Green Flag Awards. From flagship parks and vibrant woodlands to historic sites and community spaces, Wales has shown year after year that it has an unwavering commitment to nurturing inclusive green spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“We are especially proud of all our Green Flag Community Award winners which reach the award’s high standards due to the hard work and dedication of volunteers who give their time and skills to ensure these special places thrive and can be enjoyed by many others. Green spaces play a vital part in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales and we’d like to thank everyone who plays a part in that.”

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru   

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