Past Events

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Halloween Parade, 28 October 2023, 6.00 – 7.30

Friends of Preston Park held its annual Halloween Parade in spooky Preston Park. Families came along for games, competitions and prizes, with entertainment and face painting on hand. We would like to congratulate everyone who took part in the fancy dress competition. See you all again next year!

Bat walk with Nick Lane, 28 September 2023, 6.00 – 7.30

A chance to learn interesting facts about the bats that live in Preston Park and how to find them, led by Nick Lane.

Painting in the Park, 3 September 2023, 10.00 – 1.00

Those over 16 years old were invited to create their own artwork using a medium of their own choice – pencils, coloured pencils, paint, pastels, ink, collage, mixed media or any other. It was a great day to meet other people with an artistic temperament and to share experience and knowledge.

Preston Park walk with Alan Griffiths, 17 August 2023 6.00 – 7.30

A tour of Preston Park with interesting facts for families to join, led by Alan Griffiths,

Tree walk with Alistair Peters, 22 July 2023, 1.00 – 2.30

Alistair Peters led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing trees that can be found in the park.

Bird walk with Simeon Elliot, 14th July 2023, 9.00 – 10.30

Families were invited to join Simeon Elliot to learn about the variety of birds that live in Preston Park.

Elm Tree Walk with Peter Bourne, 9th July 2023, 11.00 – 12.30

Peter Bourne, Brighton’s premier tree expert, led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing elm trees that can be found in the park.

Rockery Walk with Andy Jeavons, 29th June 2023, 18.00 – 19.30

A chance to learn about the plants growing at the beautiful Rockery with Andy Jeavons, Head Gardener.

History of Preston Park Walk, 11 June 2023, 14.30 – 16.00

Sue Shepherd led this walk around Preston Park, describing the colourful history of the park, supported by dozens of historic photos.

Rockery Walk with Andy Jeavons, 1st June 2023, 18.00 – 19.30

A chance to learn about the plants growing at the beautiful Rockery with Andy Jeavons, Head Gardener.

Painting in the Park, 28 May 2023, 10.00 – 13.00

Those over 16 years old were invited to create their own artwork using a medium of their own choice – pencils, coloured pencils, paint, pastels, ink, collage, mixed media or any other. It was a great day to meet other people with an artistic temperament and to share experience and knowledge.

Easter Egg Quiz: Sunday 9th April 2023, 11.00 – 13.00

Friends of Preston Park held its annual Easter Quiz in sunny Preston Park. Families came along for a topical quiz centred around the park, winning a small chocolate egg. Face painters from Tick Boom were also on hand to provide face and hand designs. The drawing competition was based on the park or on Easter and we would like to congratulate everyone who took part. See you all again next year!

AGM Thursday 17th November 2022

The Friends of Preston Park (FoPP) held their AGM at St Peter’s Cricket Club, near the velodrome, Preston Park, on Thursday, 17th November. All FoPP members were invited to attend. Arborist Peter Bourne, a renowned expert on elm trees was available to give us a presentation, and the results of this year’s photographic competition were also announced.

History of Preston Park Walk: 6th November 2022, 11.00 – 12.30

Sue Shepherd lead this walk around Preston Park, describing the colourful history of the park, supported by dozens of historic photos.

Halloween Lantern Walk: Saturday 29th October 2022

After two years of Covid postponements, our Lantern Walk returned on 29th October. Participants were encouraged to bring their own lanterns, and entertainment was provided from 6 pm along with a raffle and a fancy dress competition.

Tree Walk with Peter Bourne: Sunday 16 October 2022, 11.00 – 13.00

Peter Bourne led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing trees that can be found in the park.

Painting in the Park III: Sunday 9 October 2022, 10.00 – 13.00

Adults were invited to join us in the park to create a piece of art using a medium of their choice – pencils, coloured pencils, paint, pastels, ink, collage, mixed media or any other. It was a great day to meet other people with an artistic temperament and to share experience and knowledge.

Rock Painting in the Rock Garden: Saturday 26th March 2022, 11 – 2

As part of the Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean, Friends of Preston Park, in association with Brighton & Hove City Council, took part in the One Bag BIG Difference challenge. As well as litter picking, all the tools, materials, and rocks were provided to design and paint your own rock to hide in the rock garden.

Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday 17th April 2022, 10.30 – 14.00, near the Chalet Cafe

After two years’ absence due to COVID restrictions, our popular annual Easter event returned. Children were invited to track down the answers to questions about the fauna, flora and history of Preston Park in order to earn themselves a cream egg. They also participated in a drawing competition with the chance to win a giant egg & face painting was available.

Litter Picking Event: Sunday 15th May, 14.00 – 16.00, Rockery

A free event was held to pick up litter and do fun recycling activities with friends and family in partnership with Friends of Preston Park and Leave No Trace.

Painting in the Park: Sunday 22nd May, 10.00 – 13.00

Adults were invited to join us in the park to create a piece of art using a medium of their choice – pencils, coloured pencils, paint, pastels, ink, collage, mixed media or any other. It was a great day to meet other people with an artistic temperament and to share experience and knowledge.

Tree-Sure event: 29th and 30th May, 11.00 – 15.00

The exciting launch of Preston Park’s very own Tree-Sure Island map, developed by a local teacher who is a member of our committee, to help children identify many of the different beautiful trees in our Park and learn more about the many different varieties.

Art workshop for the velodrome mural: 25th June, 10.00 – 1400 and 28th June, 11.00 – 13.00

Kids and adults were encouraged to create artwork ideas for a mural at the Velodrome in Preston Park. The mural is inspired by the life and history of the Velodrome.

www.theamazingartcart.com / www.redherringstudios.org/rebecca-angel

Tree Walk: 10th July, 11.00 – 12.30

Peter Bourne, Brighton’s premier tree expert, led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing trees that can be found in the park.

Painting in the Park II: Sunday 31st July, 10.00 – 13.00

Following on from our successful event in May, those aged 16 and over were invited to join us in the park to create a piece of art using a medium of their choice – pencils, coloured pencils, paint, pastels, ink, collage, mixed media or any other. It will be a great day to meet other people with an artistic temperament and to share experience and knowledge.

Tree Walk: 21st August, 11.00 – 12.30

Peter Bourne, Brighton’s premier tree expert, led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing trees that can be found in the park. Meet at the Chalet Cafe.

Tree Walk: 25th September, 11.00 – 12.30

Peter Bourne, Brighton’s premier tree expert, led walks around Preston Park, discussing the amazing trees that can be found in the park. Meet at the Chalet Cafe.