An historic park on the Ewell-Cheam border has been recognised for its environmental impact and maintenance of its Tudor heritage.

Nonsuch Park received a silver award in the South and South East in Bloom 2016 awards, which encourage councils, communities, residents, and businesses to work together to improve their environment and create a sense of community surrounding local parks.

Nominees are assessed on the number of visitors to the park, their impact on the environment, and the park's contribution to the community.

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Nonsuch Park was originally cleared by King Henry VIII to build Nonsuch Palace in 1528 and form the Little Park of Nonsuch specifically created for deer hunting. It is now reliant on volunteers meeting weekly to carry out gardening work.

The Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee – a coalition of councillors from Sutton Council and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council – were delighted with the results announced on Wednesday 14 September.

The committee’s chair, Sutton Councillor Mary Burstow, said: “We are absolutely delighted to collect a Silver Award for Nonsuch Park.

“This award is a true reflection of the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of Council Staff and Nonsuch Park Volunteers.”

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This was the park’s first entry into the South and South East in Bloom competition.

Sutton Councillor David Hicks added: “Nonsuch Park provides a wonderful facility for local residents and the more we can do to recognise that the better’. He added that the Park management are “always looking to improve and create an even better environment for all visitors.”

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