FoPP volunteers braved the super wet weather this weekend for a very successful litter pick in Preston Park.
The area near the recycling bins near the southern end of the Rose Garden was an area of particular interest as so much rubbish had accumulated in the bushes.
Over 10 bags of rubbish were cleared! Well done to everyone who came. Your efforts are hugely appreciated.
Our next event in the park will be the Great Preston Park Path Spring Clean on Saturday 21 March, 10.30 – 13.00. Volunteers will meet near the outdoor gym, south of the tennis courts. Please bring your own gloves, but tools will be provided.
Saturday 13 December 2025 17.00 – 18.00 Outside at the Rotunda Café
Residents are invited to join FoPP and a local professional choir for an hour of early evening outdoor carol singing on the terrace of the Rotunda Café. Singing by candlelight is a magical experience and we encourage residents to bring their own candle in a safety jar. Please note that all children must be supervised by a responsible adult.
The café will be open for the purchase of refreshments during the event.
Please note that we will be singing outside and to dress appropriately. The Rotunda Café terrace is wheelchair accessible.
When paying please add your name and the event title in the payment reference. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity. Thank you.
Saturday 6 December 2025 9.00 – 15.00 Outside at The Rockery
FoPP will be celebrating the season with its annual wreathmaking sessions this December. Please sign up and pay via the FoPP website for one of three, 45 minute slots during which you will be provided with a variety of pre-cut greenery in which to make your seasonal wreath. Help will also be on hand to advise. If you wish to bring your own secateurs, please do as well as any other bits to add to your own wreath.
Please note that the sessions are outside and dress appropriately. Also, we apologise that The Rockery is not wheelchair accessible, but we can prepare a bag of goodies for you to take home to make instead, if you wish.
When paying please add your name and the event title in the payment reference. Thank you.
The pond outside the Rotunda Café will be undergoing some essential maintenance. This will include rendering the base to stop water leaking out, clearing out vegetation, reinstating the brick floral beds & re-planting the vegetation. For the work to be completed the water supply will be switched off to allow the water level to drop down. All the removed vegetation will be stored on site to allow any amphibian life to move on safely into alternative winter habitats. The timing of this operation has been carefully considered in conjunction with ecologists and CityParks. It is hoped that all work will be complete before our amphibian friends begin their return to the pond. If you have further questions, please contact us through the FoPP website. Thank you.
Ex FoPP Chair, Sue Shepherd came along to Preston Park last week to meet many new and old residents, eager to hear what Sue knows about Preston Park before it even became the park we know and love! Did you know it was once called Brighton Park?
Starting off at the Rotunda Café Sue explained why the area became such a key and sort out place that people wanted to live in – it had a vital water source and was thought a good place to grow food.
Following on from amongst others, the Saxons, the Romans also made an appearance, but it wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that the land that we now recognise, became more apparent. Walking around the park using old drawings, photos and even posters to re-imagine the people of old was very entertaining. Tales of chewing gum, polo ponies and tanks mingled with park refurbishment and women’s toilets show the diversity of the walk. Sue has quite a way of delivering this information and we hope everyone who came enjoyed themselves.
For anyone who missed it, we hope that Sue will return next year for another re-run. .The FoPP only have two more events this year, one of which is our wreathmaking on Saturday, 6 December. Please pay via our website and choose a slot to attend.
On Saturday, 13 December we have Candlelight Christmas Carols outside the Rotunda Café. Please sign up and a proportion of this money will be donated to a local charity.
Brighton & Hove City Council would like to hear your constructive feedback on events held in outdoor public spaces. Residents are welcome to join an 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.
