Friends of Preston Park

Plant Your Postcode is our street tree planting initiative in Brighton & Hove, working to increase and maintain tree canopy cover in the city. It has been a busy year so far with new campaigns launched, trees planted and our elm vaccination campaign well underway. All the progress we have made would not be possible without the passion and dedication of supporters. Thank you for helping us to increase Brighton’s tree cover and bring much-needed trees to our city streets. Greener streets are healthier streets that benefit us all. Jen Eneke, Plant Your Postcode Manager Brighton & Hove is home to the National Elm Collection, but every year we are losing more of our beautiful trees to elm disease.  However, there is hope in the form of vaccine Dutch Trig.  Last year the council successfully used the vaccine to treat more than 1,000 elms. This year it has vaccinated 1,800 trees. But the council does not have the funds to treat every tree. That is why we are supporting community groups to raise money to vaccinate their own street trees. In May, we helped Pembroke Crescent residents vaccinate their elms – and we want to help more communities in the same way. If you have elm trees on your street and would like to find out more about vaccinating them, email info@cpresussex.org.uk. This year got off to a great start with new trees planted throughout the spring. A Turkish hazel was planted in Compton Road, joining another planted back in 2022. A hornbeam was planted in Bavant Road – its first street tree (pictured above) – and gingko and lime trees were planted in Florence Road (below) to replace old elm stumps. Following their success, Bavant Road and Florence Road residents are already fundraising for their next trees. Pembroke Crescent residents are also fundraising for new trees following their vaccination campaign earlier this year. As well as supporting ongoing planting schemes, we have also helped to set up two new campaigns this year. South Portslade currently has a tree canopy cover of only 8.4% – significantly less than many other wards in the city. This has a knock-on impact on residents’ health and wellbeing, as well as air quality. Working with volunteers and the council, we have identified nine potential tree planting sites on Boundary Road and Franklin Road. Early work is also underway to try to identify new planting sites in Vale Park. However, planting each tree costs an estimated £3,000. To help cover the cost, we have set up a fundraising page and would love your support. You can donate to the South Portslade campaign here. We are also supporting Jesmond Road residents with their bid to replace all the trees that have been lost to elm disease in recent years. The group is initially raising money for four trees and considering two additional locations. Donate to the Jesmond Road campaign here. Take care of your street trees this summer. Newly planted and young trees are particularly vulnerable to drought. If you have young trees on your street or local park, why not take a bottle of water out with you to help them survive the hot weather. Trees keep us cool, they make the air we breathe cleaner and help to prevent flooding. But we need to help them too! Do you want to plant new trees on your road? We would love to hear from you! The first step is to get in touch with Jen. She can help you assess viable planting sites, give advice, set up a donation page and help with anything else you need. Email info@cpresussex.org.uk today!

Reminder to book your tickets for the Park Walk with Alan Griffiths taking place on Thursday 20 August 18.30 – 20.00

Book your tickets here

Please note that the Bat Walk with Huw Morgan on Wednesday 9 September is now fully booked

Weather permitting, ranger Mike and volunteer ranger Gail will be hosting a series of Family Friendly Safaris at Waterhall Local Nature Reserve on Wednesday mornings during the holidays from 10.00 until 12.00.

These events will all include a selection of weather-dependent activities such as moth trapping, identifying wildflowers and hunting for bugs, beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers & reptiles.

The activities are generally suitable for all ages but youngsters under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

If you’d like to attend, please book a ticket for each person using the following links. Tickets are free but at the end of the event you’ll be given details of how you can make a small donation to support the educational work of the rangers, if you are able and willing to do so.

Jul 29: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1994418423192?aff=oddtdtcreator

Aug 05: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1994418573642?aff=oddtdtcreator

Aug 12: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1994419208541?aff=oddtdtcreator

Aug 19: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1994419382060?aff=oddtdtcreator

Aug 26: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1994419423183?aff=oddtdtcreator

Individual events will only be cancelled if the weather forecast is really terrible – please check “Friends of Waterhall” facebook page .

We advise wearing sturdy footwear, long sleeves and trousers.

Directions to Waterhall Local Nature Reserve:

By car:
Put Waterhall Golf Course into a sat nav or post code: BN1 8AX.
We’re just off Saddlescombe Road to the north of Hove. From the A27 exit at Hove, take the Saddlescombe Road north towards Devil’s Dyke.
After a short distance take the right hand fork and it’s first on the right at the brow of the Hill (Waterhall Local Nature Reserve). There is a free car park for those attending events/activities.

By bus:
Weekends and daily during summer months (mid-Jun to beginning Sep) No. 77 to Dyke Approach
Any time: No. 27 to Green Ridge.
Get off at the windmill on Green Ridge, then follow the walking instructions below.

Walking or by bike (safe route, avoiding the busy roundabouts where Dyke Road meets the A27):
Find you way to Dyke Road. Head north (up hill) to the Hilltop Café (just before the big roundabout at the A27). Cut across the field (called Green Ridge) behind the café to the windmill. Go through the gate in the hedge on the left just before you reach the windmill. Cross the road (Mill Road) and take the path opposite. Go down the hill (it is steep so you may want to push your bike), over the footbridge which crosses the A27 and continue down the path to the track at the bottom of the hill. Turn left, go past the rugby club (which is on your right), through the gate & up the bridleway to Waterhall clubhouse (You’ll need to push your bike up the bridleway – or alternatively lock it up at the rugby club and pick it up on the way home).

Map is here: https://goo.gl/maps/CHTwpxF37QexXsar5) What3Words: ///lined.future.orchestra.

Community Meeting Agenda Preston Park

Date: Friday 29th May 2026

Time: 5-6:30pm

Location: Knoyle Hall, Knoyle Rd

Chair: Cllr David McGregor

Brighton & Hove City Council would like to hear your feedback on events held in outdoor public spaces. We welcome open conversation about what the community would and wouldn’t like to see, and how events can work in harmony with the local area. This meeting continues discussions from previous sessions and provides another opportunity for people to share feedback, ideas, suggestions, or concerns.

1. Review of previous actions

2. Review & feedback from past events

• Brighton Marathon (11-12 Apr, citywide)

• Foodies (2-4 May)

• Ladyboys (9-31 May*current)

& Gandeys Circus (26- 31 May*current)

3. Upcoming events overview

• The Weakest Link Run (24 June)

• Coles Funfair & Kite Festival (4-5 July)

• Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (31 July)

• PRIDE on the Park (1-2 Aug)

• Magic of Thailand (15-16 Aug)

• Brighton Comedy Gardens (9-13 Sept)

4. Any Other Business

A resident has lost a black ladies jacket in Preston Park on 1st April with 2 sets of car and house keys (lego and pink keyrings). Please get in touch if you come across them.

CPRE Sussex are delighted to announce their annual Tree Festival photo competition is back for a third year! I Love This Tree Because… invites you to celebrate the trees you love through photography. They are looking for photographs that capture a meaningful moment with a tree – something that inspires, informs, or simply makes you smile. Entries could show a dramatic landscape tree, a hidden woodland gem, a favourite climbing tree from childhood, or the tree that brightens your daily walk. Whether you are an experienced photographer or simply enjoy taking pictures on your phone, everyone is welcome to take part. Alongside a photograph, they invite you to complete the sentence “I love this tree because…”.

The submission deadline is 11.59pm on 28 May. Click here for more information and entry forms.

The photo competition forms part of the annual Tree Festival.

This year’s festival will take place on:

Sunday, May 24

Friday, May 29 to Sunday, June 7

Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, June 7