13 June 2016
#GFA20
We are delighted that the Green Flag Award scheme's
longest-serving volunteer judge, Chris Worman, has been awarded an
MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for voluntary services to
the Green Flag Award Scheme and public parks.
Chris, who is also the Parks and Grounds Manager at Rugby
Borough Council, has supported the Green Flag Award scheme for
parks and green spaces since its launch in 1996.
In his two decades of volunteering he has given thousands of
hours of his time, using his holidays, evenings and weekends, and
judged more than 300 parks and green spaces across the UK - the
average for judges over this period would be about 40.
The Green Flag Award scheme, which is managed by Keep Britain
Tidy under license from the Department of Communities and Local
Government, was set up to reverse the decline in UK parks and today
more than 1,600 parks are flying the quality mark - many of them
thanks to Chris's tireless efforts in promoting the scheme.
The scheme relies on the support of more than 800 volunteer
judges who have helped to make the scheme the success it is today
and Chris has trained and mentored more than 60 of them.
Green Flag Award Programme Manager Paul Todd said: "Chris is an
inspirational figure whose passion for and commitment to providing
everyone in this country with the best quality parks is
tireless.
"He willingly carries out every request we make of him, visiting
volunteer groups, local authorities, universities and private
companies who aspire to achieve the Green Flag Award, willingly
sharing his knowledge and providing advice and guidance."
Speaking about his MBE, Chris said: "It's quite an honour, both
personally and professionally, and especially as I judged
Buckingham Palace Gardens in 2012 to mark Her Majesty's Diamond
Jubilee, but it's not really about me.
"It's recognition for the Green Flag Award scheme itself, and an
acknowledgement of the importance of our nation's public parks
along with all the thousands of people involved in their management
and maintenance."