Tarvin's Woodland earns 16th consecutive Green Flag

Tarvin's Woodland earns 16th consecutive Green Flag

Back in the early days of the Tarvin Woodland Trust, which was formed to run the woodland in place of the Parish Council Sub-Committee, Chairman Jim Grogan would talk longingly about entering the woodland for the annual award of the "Green Pennant" – the quality mark for public open spaces completely maintained by volunteers.

2010 was a momentous year. For the first time, Tarvin Woodland was entered – and we had no idea of the standard required for success. Jim's nervousness was made worse by the fact that he was in hospital and out of action for the second half of the year – but he needn't have worried – the Green Pennant was presented to us by M.P. Stephen O'Brien, at a special assembly of Tarvin Junior School during the Autumn. This was the only Green Pennant we have ever received, because the organisers then decided that all of the awards would be called Green Flags, but the Green Pennant would be renamed the "Green Flag Community".

Jim died early in 2011. The decision for Trustees as to whether the woodland would be re-entered was an easy one – the Green Flag – the public recognition that an open space is being managed and run the way it ought to be – was so important to Jim that re-entry was, at that time, a matter of honouring both Jim's name and everything he believed in, exemplified by his founding of the woodland. There have always been many people involved at every point in the project, but the vision, enthusiasm, the drive and leadership always came from Jim.

Trustees benefit greatly from the reports that the Green Flag Inspectors send to us. The people who write the reports have no connection whatsoever with our woodland – but they do know a great deal about running open spaces of all descriptions, and are able to give us objective feedback on what we are doing. They don't expect the woodland to be perfect, but they do expect that there will be evidence that the space is loved and cared for, and that comments and suggestions previously made have been listened to where appropriate. First and foremost, they look for signs of improvement, which might be slow but must be evident.

So here we are in Summer 2025, receiving our 15th Green Flag – but our 16th Award (remembering the Pennant!) Each year, we are given a flag (which, since we don't have a flagpole, is stored in Tarvin School) and a plaque, which we fasten to one of our gates. This year, the plaque is proudly displayed on the kissing gate, which gives access to the woodland from Fairfax Avenue in the Saxon Heath estate.

It is probably worth a passing mention that the vast majority of the 2,250 Green Flag Awards this year have gone to open spaces funded and run by large (and well-heeled) organisations, such as Borough Councils. The Green Flag (Community) Awards, recognising spaces that are run by impecunious volunteers, are a tiny, tiny fraction by comparison – and we are the only one in this area! Jim would be rightly proud!

Ed:The words on Jim's memorial stone say it all:
His vision, energy and love of Tarvin created this woodland as a living legacy for the Tarvin community.
"A civilisation flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit"
Greek proverb.

It isn't hard to see why Grogan's Walk has been awarded the Green Flag for yet another year. The Hard work of all the volunteers does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated by those of us who walk and run in the woodlands, and we will always treasure it.