BOTANIST David Bellamy has named four to enjoy a holiday.
All four members of the John Fowler Holiday Parks group have each been presented with Professor Bellamy’s prestigious conservation award at its top gold level.
Celebrating their triumph are Tolroy Manor Holiday Park in Hayle, St Ives Holiday Village, Widemouth Bay Caravan Park, and Killigarth Manor Holiday Park in Polperro.
The parks, said David Bellamy, had proved themselves “true friends of the countryside” by their raft of initiatives to protect animals, plants and the natural environment.
He added the family owners of the John Fowler group, to wildlife and human guests.
Long-time winners of the David Bellamy award, the Killigarth Manor and St Ives parks saw their accolades jump from silver in previous years to the gold standard this year.
Widemouth Bay Caravan Park kept hold of their Gold award for another year.
All three were presented with a special commendation from David Bellamy for the care of their woodlands where many new wildlife habitats have been created.
St Ives, Tolroy Manor and Widemouth Bay also received ‘Honey Bee Friendly’ status.
Meanwhile, Tolroy Manor Holiday Park has retained its gold award for the third year in succession, and also won a woodlands commendation, plus another for its wild flower plantings.
The park’s high nectar-bearing flowers, said David Bellamy, are providing vital foraging resources for endangered honey bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
He said it was obvious that all of the staff at Tolroy Manor have been working extremely hard to protect and enhance Cornwall’s wildlife.
Professor Bellamy praised to promote environmental awareness among holiday guests.
Tolroy Manor managers Gavin and Amy Lewis said: “We are absolutely thrilled to hear that we have yet again been awarded David Bellamy’s gold accolade.
“This year we have been working hard to honey bee friendly flowers.
“We were delighted also to get guests, and especially youngsters, involved in protecting the natural world.”
Tolroy Manor is one of the first holiday parks in the country to be presented with the “Going Green Together” commendation following its introduction this year.
It is awarded by David Bellamy to involve not just their guests but also staff and the local community in projects which benefit the environment.
Tolroy Manor also this year was awarded Highly Commended Status for Wildlife Friendly Tourism at the Cornwall Tourism Awards.
The John Fowler group was founded over 65 years ago, and operates 11 multi-award winning parks across south west England.
The group said it has just enjoyed one of its busiest holiday seasons on record, and that the majority of guests were either repeat visitors or coming as a result of a personal recommendation.
There is more information about John Fowler parks at www.johnfowlerholidays.com
