Bridge Inn Community Farm celebrates 11th consecutive Green Flag Award as students’ hard work recognised

There were proud smiles all round at Bridge Inn Community Farm as students and staff celebrated another outstanding achievement after being awarded the prestigious Green Flag Community Award for 2026/27.

The award marks the 11th consecutive year that the Formby based community farm has received the national honour, recognising its continued commitment to creating and maintaining an exceptional community green space. It is also the second consecutive Green Flag Award for the organisation’s Kitchen Garden in Hesketh Park, Southport.

Students proudly posed with the newly awarded Green Flags, celebrating the dedication, teamwork and commitment that has helped secure national recognition once again.

Bridge Inn Community Farm, based on a four acre rural site near Formby, provides training, education and meaningful work experience for people with learning disabilities and additional needs. Students gain practical skills in horticulture, agriculture, animal care, conservation, arts and crafts while helping to maintain the farm and grow fruit, vegetables and plants. The organisation’s motto is “A place where everyone grows.”

The Kitchen Garden in Hesketh Park has become another success story since it was transformed from a neglected, overgrown site into a thriving community attraction. Visitors can buy fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers and seasonal produce, while students play a central role in growing crops, maintaining the gardens and welcoming the public.

The Green Flag Community Award is one of the UK’s highest accolades for parks and green spaces. It recognises sites that meet strict standards for environmental management, accessibility, safety, sustainability and community involvement. In 2026, a record number of parks and green spaces across the UK received Green Flag recognition as the scheme celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Congratulations to all the students, staff and volunteers at Bridge Inn Community Farm on another remarkable achievement. Eleven consecutive Green Flag Awards is an incredible accomplishment and reflects years of hard work, dedication and commitment to providing a welcoming, high quality environment that benefits both the local community and everyone who attends the farm.