This summer, Southway celebrated winning the prestigious Green Flag Award for our Barlow Hall green -space in Chorlton for the eighth year in a row. 
Receiving the award for the eighth time is testament to the continued high-quality work and commitment of Southway’s Environment team, Urban Rangers and community volunteers to growing and maintaining this vital community green space right in the heart of our community in Chorlton.
The Green Flag Award – now into its third decade – is a benchmark standard that celebrates the very best parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world. Managed by environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, it recognises the hard work and dedication that goes into creating and maintaining vital green spaces.
Reacting to the news, Mike Moriarty, Southway’s Environmental Services Manager, said:
“We were the first Housing Association in the North to attain this prestigious award and only the second in the UK. The area must be maintained to the highest standards to receive this accolade and we have Debbie Wallace, Urban Ranger to thank for this. Debbie’s commitment, skills and knowledge are second to none and we wouldn't have this award without her hard work. The area is a safe and secure place for both children and adults to benefit from and continues to be the location for numerous community events, including wildflower planting, scything workshops, fruit tree pruning, and biodiversity events. A site upgrade to Green Flag status has proven to improve physical and mental health, reduce crime, and improve the cleanliness of an area. Barlow Hall is a credit to both the local community and Southway.”
Mike Moriarty - Environmental Services Manager
When asked about her favourite part of working on the award-winning green-space, Southway’s Urban Ranger, Debbie Wallace, said:
The resident-led annual fungi walk is a personal favourite of mine and a community favourite too! My other favourites include having fun and seeing everyone enjoying themselves at the summer Fun Day events, leading outdoor Science lessons for local schools and exploring the nature on the green spaces, seeing school children crossing the road to feast on the berries in the community fruit bushes on Darley Avenue and the lovely compliments and positive comments about the green spaces are fantastic to receive. Helping nature recovery is so important. We help to do this by providing spaces and resources for many different types of wildlife on the Green Flag site. Last year, I saw my first Toad on the green space at Darley Avenue and a Hedgehog in the shrubs on Leeswood Avenue! The Big Blue Bee Bed is a magnet for attracting many types of Bees and this April there was a Hairy-footed Flowerbee visiting."
Debbie Wallace - Urban Ranger
Southway’s ongoing commitment to Barlow Hall includes additions such as bug hotels and the continued growth of the Big Blue Bee Bed. We want this space to continue growing and evolving, and are committed to providing somewhere specialfor the community to appreciate and enjoy their natural surroundings.
We understand the importance of green spaces where nature and communities can help each other thrive. Today, not only does Barlow Hall promote wildlife and biodiversity, but it also celebrates community events, education and play in an area that meets the highest environmental standards.
Check out Barlow Hall for yourself! You’ll find it on Mottram Avenue, M21 7HW.
A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here.