13 June 2016
We are proud to announce that Chris Worman, one of the Green
Flag Award scheme's longest-serving volunteer judge, has been
awarded an MBE in recognition of his years of support in improving
the quality of the nation's parks and greens-spaces.
We are not surprised that Chris's commitment to parks and
green-spaces has been recognised in this way as his dedication and
knowledge is second to none.
Chris has been passionate about parks and green-spaces for as
long as he can remember. When he left school at 16, he already knew
he wanted to work outdoors and have had a career in park
management.
His first job was in a park in Leicester that holds very fond
memories for him and still does, he remembers playing there when he
was a child and he even met his future wife there.
After many years of working in various parks and green-spaces,
he saw a decline in the standard of our parks and green-spaces
throughout the 80's and 90's, so jumped at the chance to get
involved with the Green Flag Award when it began in 1996. Chris
became a Green Flag Award judge and is as committed and passionate
to the programme twenty years later.
He tells us how privileged he feels to be a Green Flag Award
judge; having the opportunity to travel to some fantastic places.
Last year he judged several parks in Abu Dhabi and says it was an
incredible experience to see different ideas and solutions. Also he
was struck by the fact that even though their environment is very
different to ours in the UK, we still aim for the same goals, such
as engaging with local people, providing opportunities for healthy
lifestyles, being a central part of community live and even a
location to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Chris says that it is an honour to be awarded an MBE for his
work but it's about the recognition of the Green Flag Award and
acknowledgment of the importance of our nation's public parks and
spaces.
When asked about how it feels to have been involved with the
Green Flag Award scheme from the start he said: "I can't believe it
has been 20 years this year, how time flies. I am looking
forward to another 20. I would like to see more Green Flags both in
this country and across the world and it becomes the true
international standard of parks and green spaces ."