Changing Places Toilet Block update

Work on the much anticipated (it was agreed 3 years ago) Changing Places Toilet Block in Preston Park, has started. The toilet will be situated at the back of the Rotunda Café and will provide better access for people with disabilities and accessibility concerns.

A new pathway is being laid, and unfortunately two Mulberry trees have had to be relocated. Hopefully they will survive, but the Council will replace them in the event they do not. The Brighton Permaculture Trust carefully removed them and relocated them to an area nearby. They will be monitored to ensure their survival. 

It has been noted that the toilet block is modular, and therefore cannot be modified beforehand, however, it was agreed that the needs of some of the city’s residents would be met with its inclusion in the park. At least one bee brick will also be incorporated within the external wall in line with building regulations to encourage biodiversity. We also hope to plant around the area.

Current work entails: 

Sectioning of the work area

Installation of Heras fencing

Preparing the groundwork for the foundation slab to be laid (machinery including diggers on site).

It is anticipated that the groundworks including pathways, foundation slab, and drainage works will last approximately 4 weeks. Works on the pre-fab building will commence once approval from planning on the external materials has been granted – this date is still yet to be finalised. It is envisaged that works are currently due to be completed by the end of June.

FoPP events in March

Join us in March for 2 exciting events, available to book now on Eventbrite!

Cherry Blossom Tree Picnic – Sunday 24 March at 11.30 – 13.00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cherry-blossom-tree-picnic-tickets-853001850497

Bird Walk with Simeon Elliot – Sunday 31 March at 8.30 – 10.30
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bird-walk-with-simeon-elliot-tickets-854454134317

For more details on the FoPP events planned for the rest of the year, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/friends-of-preston-park-66223813283

Preston Park Beryl BTN Bike Hub Consultation

The Council is engaging with residents and stakeholder groups on plans to relocate the Beryl BTN Bike hub in Preston Park north as part of changes in the area. These include the introduction of Red Routes on the A23 and the A23 Active Travel scheme.

More information, including how you can give feedback, can be found on the Council’s dedicated consultation page.

If you’d like to comment, please do so by Wednesday 20 March.

Winter Warmer events in December

Tower House are working with Age UK WSBH to host 2 ‘Winter Warmer’ events this December on Fridays 22nd and 29th from 10.30-12.30.

These events are FREE and are an opportunity for anyone over the age of 50 that feels lonely/isolated or wants to connect with others and get out of the house to come together and have a bit of Christmas cheer, some company, light refreshments and chatter!

A warm welcome awaits them – booking is essential via phone or email at towerhouse@svp.org.uk.  People can self-refer or book via their support networks.

Please note this is a volunteer staffed event in a shared building environment and therefore it is not suited to anyone with specific support needs (unless these can be appropriately met by a family/friend carer who is also welcome to attend).

Donations needed at Community Base

Posted on behalf of Community Base

DONATIONS NEEDED! 

2,000 children are at risk of going hungry in Brighton and Hove this Christmas. Drop off a food tin to our collection point at Community Base and help us reach our target of collecting 1,000 tins for local families.

YOU CAN HELP BY: 

➡️ Dropping off a tin at our donation point in the reception lobby at Community Base (113 Queen’s Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG) Mon – Fri 8:30 – 4:30pm 

➡️ Donating to the online fundraiser: https://buff.ly/41fpeih

➡️ Forwarding this to your networks. 

FoPP Wreathmaking 2nd and 3rd December

A reminder that FoPP will be running wreathmaking sessions this weekend at The Rockery. The FoPP team has sourced the necessary materials needed to make a beautiful, seasonal wreath. If you want to come along and make your own wreath or to buy a bundle to take home, please come and join us. We will provide foliage, a wire base and additional wire to keep everything in place. We suggest coming early to get the best foliage, although we will do this over two days so that everyone gets a chance to make one. We apologise that the venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Book your tickets at the below Eventbrite pages:

Saturday 2nd December, 10am to 1pm

Sunday 3rd December, 10am to 1pm

FoPP Annual General Meeting

Once again, the Friends of Preston Park (FoPP) held their annual AGM at St Peter’s Cricket Clubhouse. Following on from usual business, the Chair, Kerry Pickett gave a run down on events held within the park over the past year and provided an impression of what might be expected for 2024. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and to offer advice regarding possible future events. Treasurer, Janet Laing also presented an update on FoPP’s current financial position.

We took the opportunity to announce this year’s winners of the photographic competition which was based around the subject of trees. We had some amazing submissions, and it took quite an effort to choose. However, the general public voted on what they appreciated and so first place went to Neil Jakeman, second to Jimmy Guest and third place to, Victoria Jenkins. Copies of the winners’ photos are below and will be displayed outside the Chalet Café in Preston Park.   

Finally, we had Dr Danahar, a local biodiversity educationalist, to give us a presentation on butterfly conservation. Dan has led a number of local initiatives within the city of Brighton & Hove, including persuading the public to count butterflies, which in turn inspired the national charity Butterfly Conservation to develop the Big Butterfly Count.

He has also introduced Butterfly Havens as a habitat restoration approach for chalk grassland butterflies, giving the public access to nature on their doorsteps. Local examples include the bank between Varndean College and Dorothy Stringer, as well the land to the north of Varndean college. However, Dan’s work is also international in nature. He is Executive Trustee of the charitable company Big Nature – www.bignature.co.uk, which aims to revitalise the relationship between people and their local wildlife by creating natural habitats within the UNESCO designated Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere region (The Living Coast).

Dan was able to outline the beginnings of his work and how he envisages it expanding should the current political climate and will, allow it. For more information on Dan’s work please visit: http://the scientific23.com/interview or look him up on YouTube. We thank Dan for taking time to visit us and explain the hugely important work that he is doing.

The committee will meet early in 2024 to discuss possible events for the year. A new poster will be created and displayed on the website and on the boards in Preston Park. Anyone interested in volunteer gardening or donating to our community cause can do so on the FoPP website: friendsofprestonpark.org