13 June 2016
More about one of the Green Flag Award scheme’s longest-serving volunteer judge
We are proud to announce that Chris Worman, one of the Green Flag Award scheme's longest-serving volunteer judge, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his years of support in improving the quality of the nation's parks and greens-spaces.
We are not surprised that Chris's commitment to parks and green-spaces has been recognised in this way as his dedication and knowledge is second to none.
Chris has been passionate about parks and green-spaces for as long as he can remember. When he left school at 16, he already knew he wanted to work outdoors and have had a career in park management.
His first job was in a park in Leicester that holds very fond memories for him and still does, he remembers playing there when he was a child and he even met his future wife there.
After many years of working in various parks and green-spaces, he saw a decline in the standard of our parks and green-spaces throughout the 80's and 90's, so jumped at the chance to get involved with the Green Flag Award when it began in 1996. Chris became a Green Flag Award judge and is as committed and passionate to the programme twenty years later.
He tells us how privileged he feels to be a Green Flag Award judge; having the opportunity to travel to some fantastic places. Last year he judged several parks in Abu Dhabi and says it was an incredible experience to see different ideas and solutions. Also he was struck by the fact that even though their environment is very different to ours in the UK, we still aim for the same goals, such as engaging with local people, providing opportunities for healthy lifestyles, being a central part of community live and even a location to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Chris says that it is an honour to be awarded an MBE for his work but it's about the recognition of the Green Flag Award and acknowledgment of the importance of our nation's public parks and spaces.
When asked about how it feels to have been involved with the Green Flag Award scheme from the start he said: "I can't believe it has been 20 years this year, how time flies. I am looking forward to another 20. I would like to see more Green Flags both in this country and across the world and it becomes the true international standard of parks and green spaces ."
