Release Date 30 July 2012

The University of Reading's Whiteknights campus has once again been judged as one of the best open spaces in the country with the award of the prestigious Green Flag - a sign to visitors that the Whiteknights campus is well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities.

The Green Flag Award scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK. Grounds management, innovation and the way facilities are tailored to the needs of the community are taken into account.

Judges were impressed by the University's 134-hectare site which contains wooded areas, open meadows, a lake, shrubs and borders and county standard sports pitches. A network of paths links these different and exciting areas, making it an accessible and enjoyable place for all to take pleasure in.

At the ceremony to hoist the Green Flag over the Whiteknights campus, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell said: "We are delighted to have gained a Green Flag Award for the second year running. This award is testament to the hard work and expertise of our committed grounds and facilities maintenance teams.

"Our attractive grounds continue to be a factor which differentiates Reading from our competitors. Recent student satisfaction surveys have highlighted the fact that the ‘attractive campus environment' is a key factor in undergraduates choosing to study at Reading. I would like to pay tribute to the commitment of the grounds maintenance team, without which the site would not look as good as it does."

Janis Pich, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities Management said: "A key element of the Green Flag assessment criteria is the level of community use. I would like to thank community groups such as the Walking Group which help to promote the campus and the University within the community.

"Feedback from the judges also paid credit to the important contribution made by the various volunteer groups that work with the grounds team. I would like to thank, in particular, the Friends of the Harris Garden and the student volunteer groups for the invaluable role they play in helping to maintain the Harris Garden."

ENDS

For all media enquiries please contact James Barr, University of Reading Press Officer on 0118 378 7115 or by email on j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk

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