A PARK has recently raised the Green Flag for the first time.

Beechwood Park, in Newport, has achieved Green Flag status, an award that has five primary aims.

These include: ensuring everyone has access to quality green open spaces, ensuring that these spaces are appropriately managed, establishing good management, promoting good practices in the green space sector, and recognising and rewarding the hard work of people running these spaces.

Beechwood Park earned the prestigious status for the first time this year, and it is hoped the green space will be able to maintain this over the years.

The Green Flag is now flying high at Beechwood Park, which was built in 1877 and is 30 acres, after being raised by Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Debbie Harvey, in a ceremony earlier in the year.

The celebrations also saw the opening of a new entertainment area, which has a raised stage and tiered seating, near the children's play area.

Cllr Debbie Harvey said: "With the addition of the new performance area, along with the tearooms and children’s play areas, the park has something to offer visitors of all ages."

Folk, reggae and country band, The Apple Tree Theory concluded the celebrations with a performance on the addition.

Complimentary food and drinks were on offer from Mrs T, who has a restaurant at Beechwood Park.

The award, delivered by Keep Wales Tidy, was also won by Belle Vue Park, in Newport, for the eleventh time, and by Gwent Crematorium, in Croesyceiliog, for the third consecutive year.

Beechwood Park opens its gates from 6am, with the last gate locked at 7.30pm. As of October 1 the last gate will be closed at 7pm, with the closing time getting earlier as winter progresses.

You can find the venue on Facebook by searching for @beechwoodhouseandpark or on Twitter @beechwood_park

The Green Flag Awards are well established, having been run for 22 years, and don't just apply to parks. Applications include gardens, reserves, cemeteries, university campuses, hospital grounds, woodlands, churchyards, allotments and more.

To check out the full list of green spaces that have achieved this award go to: www.greenflagaward.org.uk/award-winners