Friends of Preston Park (FoPP) held its annual Easter Quiz in a sunny Preston Park last Sunday. Children and their accompanying parents came along for a topical quiz mostly centred around the park, that was rewarded with a small chocolate egg once the questions were complete. Face painters from Tick Boom were also on hand to provide some excellent face and hand (for the under two-year-olds) designs. Finally, many of those who had completed the quiz stayed on to join in the drawing competition. Many of the submissions were either based on the park or on Easter and some on both! The standard was very high, considering the time constraints and we would like to congratulate everyone who took part. However, we had to choose some winners. The aged nine and above category was co-won by Noah Temme, aged nine and Tommy Li, also aged nine. Runners up were Oliver Cooper, aged 12 and Daisy Haslan, aged 10. In the eight and under category, the co-winners were Manuella Mercado, aged six and Mia Adamovic, also aged six. Runners up were Mimi Sherif, aged six and Elena Kosta, also aged six. Congratulations to all our prize winners! All entrants can be viewed on our website. 

May we also thank all our FoPP volunteers who gave up their time to prepare for this event and spend much of Easter Sunday making it happen! It made a great day! See you all again next year, we hope! x

Finally, the long awaited bike stands have arrived in Preston Park. The stands are situated around the park, particularly near the children’s playground, the tennis courts and at the back of the Rose Garden. It is hoped the bike stands will further encourage park users to cycle to the park instead of driving. 

The Rose Garden is looking fabulous this week as we enjoy the first days of April in the sunshine. As usual our team of wonderful volunteers are out hard at work. Can we politely remind dog owners to keep their dogs on the lead until they are past the Rose Garden. Also, we are in need of volunteers to help on Thursdays on the front beds and Dahlia walk. Please contact Friends of Preston Park if you are interested. Our Rose Garden Appeal is going strong and if you wish to donate towards the purchase of new rose shrubs please use the Donate button on this page.

The cherry tree plaque is finally in place next to the cherry tree walk. The plaque is to thank all those who contributed money, labour and time to improve the park with this wonderful intersection of trees. It is also to pay tribute to all those who worked hard for us all throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The trees are currently about to blossom and we hope the recent sun will put them in full bloom for Easter.

We are pleased to announce that we have reached 50% of our target of £2500. We are glad to see  so many of you show such a strong support to our endeavour to maintain the beauty of the Rose Garden and rely on your generosity to make the purchase of the much needed rose bushes possible. Please donate using the Donate button on the Friends of Preston Park website: 
https://www.friendsofprestonpark.org/
 

 Spring is a busy time in the park and we are looking to increase our team of volunteers on Thursday mornings between 10 and 12 to help maintain and improve all the horticultural areas within Preston Park such as the beds along the front of the park, the beds between the tennis courts and the Coronation Garden. 

Andy Jeavons, Head Gardener, meets the volunteers at the Rockery Chalet at 10am. Tools are provided but it is always good if you can bring your own hand tools and gloves. Weeding, pruning and planting are much needed at this time of the year and rest assured, no experience is needed as Andy guides the volunteers with his expert advice. Refreshments are also provided. 

We have a lovely team and it would be nice to have a few more members to help us prepare and look after the flower beds for the summer.

We look forward to seeing you in the park.

The final trees have been planted today and our two alleyways of cherry blossom trees are now complete, in time for the trees to flourish. A commemorative plaque will be put up soon.

The Rose Garden Appeal for new roses can now also be accessed through JustGiving. Please give generously so that we can return the Rose Garden to its former glory. The link to the page can be found below. Thank you.

JustGiving

Help raise £2500 to replenish the Rose Garden in Preston Park, Brighton with new roses.

Weʼre raising money to replenish the Rose Garden in Preston Park, Brighton with new roses. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page. 

Friends of Preston Park have been very active over the past 18 months and you may have noticed trees being planted in various part of the Park. 60 blossom cherry trees were planted last winter, 40 Urban Tree Challenge Fund trees can be found dotted in the Park, 12 fruit trees given by our Green Councillors will flower this spring and recently volunteers and CityParks gardeners have been planting another 15 blossom cherry trees. We are all looking forward to see our trees grow and prosper in the coming months.