Author: Pax Barnard

Due to a mixup with the time last week, we have decided to rerun the bird walk with Simeon Elliot on Sunday 28 April. For all those who bought tickets but couldn’t join, please turn up at 8.30 at the Chalet Café. For anyone who hasn’t bought tickets, please come along – the cost of the walk is £3. Please bring cash and pay it to the FoPP member running the event.

If the weather is very bad, the event will be cancelled via the website, so please keep an eye on it. Parts of the walk will be uneven so please bear in mind when considering accessibility (wheelchairs should be okay).

Those residents who signed up to this year’s bird walk were lucky to get some fairly nice weather this week. Simeon Elliot kindly gave up his time to come and explain to those unsure of birdsong and what bird is what, to explain what we were listening to. Simeon was able to point out the various birds we are fortunate to have in our urban park area despite the noise of park users and traffic. There was the usual array of pigeons and seagulls, as well as blue tits, dunnocks, black birds, wrens and robins. Some, we only heard and some, we were lucky to see as well.  They were all mostly in full song and we were, I think, incredibly lucky to see and hear a beautiful spotted woodpecker. As well as birds, Simeon is also knowledgeable about lichens, mosses and liverworts. Using hand lenses, we were able to view some amazing tree epiphytes. The truly looked like underwater corals! For those who missed the walk due to a time mix up, please keep an eye on the FoPP website and we will try and fit another bird walk in in April.

Our next event will be the Brighton & Hove Tree Trail: 12-12 & 18-19 May. Followed by the elm tree walk with Peter Bourne on 19 May. Please sign up via Eventbrite.

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.

A petition has been created to keep Brighton & Hove’s streets free of toxic weedkiller, feel free to share with your neighbours and friends.

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/ask-to-keep-your-street-free-of-harmful-glyphosate

Please see the poster to find out when we held our events in 2024. Our events for 2025 will be posted shortly.

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

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.

Friday 1st March 2024, 5-7pm at St Peters Clubhouse BN16LA

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