On 25 July, two of Kent’s leading employers limbered up for a one-off rounders match to celebrate Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks campaign. Team members from DS Smith’s Kemsley Paper Mill faced off against employees from Swale Borough Council for the game, which was held in Milton Country Park.

The rounders match forms part of a wider programme of activities to support Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks initiative. The match sough to highlight the pivotal role green spaces play in bringing communities together, as well as showcasing the open spaces available on residents’ doorsteps.

DS Smith’s partnership with Keep Britain Tidy supports the Green Flag Awards – a marker of the quality of a park or green space – and led to the launch of the Green Space Business Awards in 2016.

Ben Jennings, Mill Manager at DS Smith’s Kemsley Paper Mill, said: “Hosting a rounders match for Keep Britain Tidy’s Love Parks campaign was a fun, but important, way of showcasing how important green spaces are for residents in towns and cities.

“Local parks are a vital amenity for communities, so campaigns such as the one spearheaded by Keep Britain Tidy are crucial in ensuring our green spaces are both used and looked after.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for donating their time and hope events such as this reinforce the importance of parks and open spaces. We’re looking forward to seeing Swale Borough Council for a rematch next year!”