Friends of Preston Park

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel this event and the Preston Village Open Day in June.

Let’s hope for better luck next year.

This popular annual event is just around the corner, so make a note in your diaries. You may remember that last year’s event was held in blazing sunshine – it barely seems possible!

It costs just £1 for accompanied children under 12 to take part. The children are tasked with tracking down the answers to questions about interesting features of Preston park with the incentive of an Easter Egg. There will also be face painting and a rock painting competition, with the chance to win a monster Easter egg.

Meet near the Chalet Cafe at the North end of the park (NOT as in previous years), from 10.30 to 2.30.

On the first of April, Preston Manor and its grounds, including the historic walled garden and the croquet lawn, will become the responsibility of a Trust, rather than the Council. It is hoped that the new trustees will be able to recruit 1 or 2 gardeners dedicated to that area. We wish the new Trust well.

Some Friends of Preston park members have expressed concern at the radical cutting back of vegetation between the east end of Lime Tree Walk and the cycle track. We talked to park staff who say this level of cutting back is normal and planned. The vegetation will grow back very quickly. To minimise the effect on wildlife the cutting back is phased over several years.

Extraordinarily, in clearing that relatively small area, the parks staff took over four truck loads of rubbish!

You may have seen these guys from Lea Bealing Stonemasons working on re-pointing the Clock Tower. Work is progressing well and they reckon there is about six weeks work to do, allowing for good weather (?!!).

The clock mechanism is also due to be repaired soon.

The tower was designed by Francis May, who said that he wanted it finished in terracotta because he felt that a more standard white marble tower, set in green fields and surrounded by trees, would look too much like a funeral monument. The tower was paid for by Edward White (whose initials EW adorn the tower), and work was completed in 1892.

It will be good to see the tower restored to its former glory.

You may have seen the Flint Wall Company busy at work repairing the flint wall above the cycle track. It will look amazing when all done.

Photo by Henry Frankel

Capture the colours of the park.

We are looking for images from amateur photographers of all ages that portray the colours of Preston Park. Feel free to interpret this theme as you see fit.

Please take your photos in landscape mode and send to us in the highest quality format your camera or phone will allow.

The best shots will be incorporated in our 2021 calendar.

Entries close 31 August. Max four photos per person.

Email to photos@friendsofprestonpark.org, providing your name and contact details.

Thanks to Rose Jones for these lovely photos …

After yesterday’s successful event, Brighton & Hove is today adorned by 100+ new festive wreaths.

Thanks to all those from Friends of St Peter’s and Friends of Preston Park who helped make it all possible, especially Andy Jeavons who supervised the gathering of the foliage. And thanks to Jilly Welch for these pics…

Yesterday one of the ancient Preston Twin elms was cut down. Unfortunately, it was damaged and diseased and its time had come.

Thanks to Rose Jones for these pictures.