A CONSERVATION group near Yate is celebrating the achievement of a major national award for its third year running.


Wapley Bushes Conservation Group has been awarded its third Green Flag Community Award for Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve and the Orchard for the Future.


The award, announced on July 23, recognises high quality public open spaces, which are judged on strict criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.


Parish councillor Paul Hulbert, who is a regular volunteer on the site, said: "We are very pleased to have achieved this important award for the third year running.


“We find the judge's visit and feedback very useful as input to our management of the site.


"The award is a real tribute to our volunteers who put in hundreds of man-hours each year to maintain the reserve and the orchard all year round.

"We could not have achieved this award again without the regular and enthusiastic support of Dodington Parish Council, together with technical advice from South Gloucestershire Council and the Wildlife Trust.”


The small group of volunteers who run the Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve near Yate and Chipping Sodbury manage the property on behalf of its landowners, Dodington Parish Council.


Mr Hulbert added: “Obviously Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and Dodington Parish Council are very pleased with this success.


"New volunteers to the group are always welcome. The next work morning will be on Sunday, September 13 at 10am at the Shire Way entrance to the Nature Reserve.”


The Green Flag Community Award is part of the Green Flag Award scheme, the national standard for quality parks and green spaces.


To find out more about the group visit www.wapley.blogspot.co.uk.