Team effort gains green accolade for Cumbria holiday parks

All 160 holiday park staff at Cumbria’s Holgates Group, based in Silverdale, have been told to take a bow by the judges of a major environmental accolade.

The company’s eight parks were named this month as winners of the David Bellamy Conservation Award, thanks to their successful efforts to protect the natural world.

And according to the award assessors, it was obvious that park staff were playing “a significant role” in driving forward Holgates’ green tourism policies.

The assessors made their comments after visiting each of the eight Cumbria and North Lancashire parks to carry out wildlife and environmental audits.

“We were absolutely delighted to have our team’s dedication and hard work acknowledged in this way,” said Michael Holgate, owner of the family-run business.

Fresh think holiday park

“Our policy has always been to give wildlife and nature the same VIP treatment as our guests, and staff are encouraged to come up with fresh ideas to make this happen.

“Not only do they provide a lot of the inspiration, but are also keen to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into what’s needed to put the ideas into action.

“Whether it’s ways to encourage red squirrels, creating animal habitats, planting native trees, or getting rid of single-use plastics, we all work together as a team.

“Our parks attract holiday guests who want to enjoy tranquil, unspoiled surroundings, so we’re keen to make them a perfect match to their beautiful settings,” added Michael.

Assessors listed a raft of projects at the group’s eight Cumbria and Lancashire parks, including the flagship Silverdale Holiday Park founded by Michael’s father Frank over 60 years ago.

Creating beautiful holiday environments

They include the sowing of large areas of high nectar-bearing wild flowers which provide vital foraging for endangered honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Assessors also applauded the recent planting of over eight miles of new hedgerows on the parks which will create many additional feeding and breeding habitats for wildlife.

“Our parks have been extremely busy this year since the end of lockdown, and these awards have come as a fantastic finale to the end of the main holiday season,” said Michael.

“I hope they will also benefit other local tourism businesses by putting the national spotlight on what amazing parts of the country we are privileged to be in!”

There is more information about the Holgates group and its parks at www.holgates.co.uk