The mayor and mayoress celebrate the borough being awarded eight flags

Council staff erected flags in one of the borough’s most pristine public gardens to celebrate it being honoured with a Green Flag award.

Mayor, Cllr Tony Ramsay, and the mayoress, Cllr Jeanne Alexander, headed to Valence House Museum in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham on August 1.

They joined park staff to celebrate the recent announcement that the borough has been awarded eight of the prestigious flags.

This was a record year for Barking and Dagenham’s outdoor spaces, doubling the borough’s previous best.

The award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK. Parks must apply each year.

The award recognises green spaces that meet standards including cleanliness, conservation efforts and community facilities.

It has been an award-winning summer for Valence House. Alongside the Green Flag award, on July 18, national newspaper The Guardian mentioned it their top 50 recommended free places to visit.

Then on July 23, the Heritage Education Service at the museum was given the Sandford Award, which has only been presented to 200 heritage venues across the UK. Other recipients are Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.