Cheers as Wales holiday park is declared a green champion

Staff and the family owners of Plassey, a Holiday Park in Wrexham are celebrating after learning that their wildlife-friendly business has scooped a major green accolade.

This month, the park was declared a winner of the prestigious 2019 David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

The world-famous botanist said that Plassey director John Brookshaw and his wife Sarah had created a “wonderland for wildlife” in the park’s 250-acre grounds.

John said that credit for the award, made after an inspection by Professor Bellamy’s assessors, needed to be shared with the hard-working ground team at the park:

“We’re very lucky to be able to recruit from the surrounding area, and to attract people who share our enthusiasm for sustainability and the natural world,” he said.

“It means we’re never short of new ideas for protecting the amazing array of wildlife here, and their skills and knowledge are extremely important to us.

“Many of our holiday guests choose Plassey because of its gorgeous natural setting, and we’re delighted that our work is being supported by someone like David Bellamy,” added John.

Putting the park on the path to its gold award are the extensive plantings of wild flowers which provide vital foraging for pollinators such as honey bees and butterflies.

David Bellamy also praised Plassey’s use of shielded illumination to help visitors enjoy the night sky, and the many habitats that have been created for wildlife.

He also applauded the park’s management of its ponds which act as magnets for dragonflies, water fowl and a many different visiting and resident bird species.

Plassey’s community involvement was also highlighted, including its charity fundraising for a range of good causes in which staff play a key role.

In addition to his award, David Bellamy also gave the park four extra commendations for protecting honey bees, creating new hedgerows, planting wild flowers and care of its woodlands.

In recent times, the park has invested £1.5 million in super-luxury glamping accommodation which features high levels of insulation and energy-saving features.

There are also holiday homes to rent and buy, and pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans.

Plassey’s many attractions include an indoor pool, golf course, games courts, five fishing ponds, beauty salon, and an acclaimed restaurant with regional produce a speciality.

There is a local accent too in the artisan craft village on the park which is home to 25 Wales-based retailers specialising in a wide range of quality gifts, clothing and foods.

For real ale connoisseurs, there is even a highly acclaimed micro-brewery in the grounds.

John said that this had been one of the park’s busiest summers ever, and it was the icing on cake to receive the David Bellamy Conservation Award as the year draws to an end.

More information about the Plassey Holiday Park is available at www.plassey.com