Kent News
Volunteer rangers are celebrating as Samphire Hoe has been awarded the Green Flag Award for the sixth year in a row, writes Mathew Beech.
The accolade maintains the site’s impressive 100 per cent record of obtaining the national standard for parks and green spaces.
The area is home to 200 different plant species, including 12,000 orchids and is a haven for butterflies and more than 200 types of bird.
Cows and sheep from local farms also graze the area.
The nature reserve attracts more than 100,000 visitors per year, with up to 1,000 descending on the site at peak times.
The outcrop of land was created with the spoil from the Channel Tunnel excavations and almost 5 million cubic metres of material was placed at the base of the chalk cliffs.
It is owned by Eurotunnel and managed by the White Cliffs Countryside Project (WCCP)
WCCP ranger Paul Holt said: “It is very good and we are all very excited to be given the award.
“It is all down to the volunteers who put in lots of effort.
“We are cuffed that we have again reached the national benchmark.”
The ranger first heard of the Green Flag scheme back in 2004 and decided to register Samphire Hoe to the scheme.
The area then received the first of its six awards.
Paul said: “It was the first time I had heard about the scheme and I thought we should be considered.
“We’ve won one every year so far and fingers crossed we will win it again next year.
“They are looking for a safe, clean and tidy area that is well signposted and well looked after.
“Everyone involved has worked really hard, from the teams of volunteers through top the guy who runs the tea kiosk.
“Without them, winning the award would not be possible.”
For more information or to register as a volunteer ranger, call Paul Holt on 01394 225649.
POSTED: 29/07/2010 16:00:00
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