Friends of Preston Park

Welcome to our first Friends of Preston Park (FoPP) newsletter of the year. This is a roundup of recent news to keep you informed about what has been happening in the Park recently,  and our upcoming events.

Bracing the cold weather in November, Sue Shepherd led her renowned History Walk of Preston Park and as ever it was a success. Sue’s expertise and knowledge is second to none and if you didn’t know the Romans were here before you in this neighbourhood, make sure you keep an eye on our website for the next History Walk so that you can sign up and learn all there is to know about the area from Sue. Sue will provide many exciting facts, with visuals and her delightful anecdotes will enthral you.

The Rose Garden volunteers got a treat when Richard Stubbs, from the internationally famous rose grower David Austin, came in January to deliver a workshop on how to prune the long, high and scraggy looking roses on the outer beds. Equipped with our brand-new knowledge, we have now trimmed and shaped the rose bushes so that the ensemble looks less dishevelled and more tamed. We are hoping this will also have a positive effect on the number of blooms we get this year. 

You may also have noticed that the east and west herbaceous borders have been cleared of weeds and replanted since the spring. These areas have long been neglected as we haven’t had enough volunteers. However, having decided it was time to appraise the Rose Garden as a whole, meant reassessing the borders and working to make them look as good as the rose part of the area. Two very dedicated volunteers, Janet and Chris, took the mistreated borders in hand and are working relentlessly to bring them back to some former glory. Nick Delves, assistant head gardener and in charge of the summer borders at Nymans (National Trust), was invited to give his expert advice on how to design our borders and the choice of plants, bringing colours and pollinating insects to the area. We are extremely privileged to have had his invaluable input and have invited him to come back in June to see the borders fully in bloom.

In terms of the roses, the outer beds are getting a big make over. Thanks to the never-ending generosity of David Austin we received 200 new roses this spring  to replace some very old and spent bushes. FoPP agreed to fund new soil (Buckingham Rose Soil from Hill Soil, Horsham) to give these new roses a good start. In February our Ranger, Neil Doyle, brought along a corporate team from Ibis Hotels who helped dug out the old soil and poured heavy wheelbarrows of new soil into the beds before the new roses were put in place. City Parks Rangers’ volunteer team and our amazing Preston Park groundsmen gave the Tuesday Rose Garden volunteers a helping hand in digging holes and planting roses. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to help with this. It was hard work, and every helping hand was greatly welcomed and appreciated. We couldn’t have got it all done without you!

We are so grateful to these guest volunteer teams who helped with the planting of the new roses as well as the maintenance of the Coronation Garden. It would not have been possible to undertake such major tasks without their input. Parks throughout the city are gradually losing their flower beds as there aren’t enough staff (or money to employ more staff) so if you would like to volunteer a couple of hours a week helping with the flower beds we would love to hear from you. No previous knowledge required. Just come and meet us on Tuesdays 10 to 1pm in the Rose Garden. Tea, coffee, biscuits and tools provided. Just bring a pair of gardening gloves and your own tools if you prefer. (You can sign up via the FoPP website).

You may have also noticed the beautiful crocus’ that are currently giving us such pleasure. Having donated to the British Polio Fellowship we were given thousands of bulbs to plant and I think we can agree they look amazing. We have also put Yellow Rattle seed down. This was grown by the Wildflower Conservation Society based at Stanmer Park. Hopefully, this will also add to the biodiversity of the area.

Regarding the Rotunda Pond, just to let everyone know that we didn’t have time to get it re-rendered before the return of the newts and frogs. Therefore, the work is on hold until the end of July when they should have gone again and we will drain down, mend and replant the pond in time for winter. Can we remind everyone not to let their dogs or children to enter the pond. It is dangerous and the wildlife really don’t like it!

Finally, we are putting together our list of FoPP events for 2025. If you would like to attend, please sign up via the FoPP website. We ask for a small donation to attend and this money is used to buy things for the plant such as plants, tools, etc.. So please do come along, enjoy the park and help us financially keep the park looking the best we can make it.

Our new event calendar will be published shortly. Please keep an eye our our website, Facebook and Insta pages.

If you have any questions, concerns or would like to help us in anyway, please contact us at info@friendsofprestonpark.org

Thank you, FoPP Committee

Volunteers planted 100 roses yesterday. Thank you to all, it was jolly hard work, pushing wheelbarrows and digging clay. On Friday 14 February, our Ranger will bring his team, please come and join them (10-1pm). 65 more roses to plant! 🌱

Through the power of the sun and with the support of BHESCo (Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative), homes in Preston Park could soon be generating their own clean energy with no upfront cost to residents.

Find out more about Preston Park Community Energy Project at https://www.prestonparkcommunityenergy.org

The arb team are planning to prune the Preston Twin on 6^th Feb. They will be reducing the canopy and thinning to reduce the weight and stress on the fragile stem of the tree. This elm continues to grow very vigorously, which is a good sign, however they do need to make sure the canopy is kept compact to prevent the tree splitting apart in the wind. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you see the tree being trimmed. 

The ‘twin’ will look smaller and less natural in the short term but will come back with new growth quickly. 

Divide into two teams.

If 3 players: play against 3 players and each player uses 2 boules.

If 2 players: play against 2 players or 1 player plays against 1 and each player uses 3 boules.

If you have an uneven number of players in each team, each team should have the same number of boules.

Mark out a circle no more than 50cm in diameter.

Toss a coin to decide which team is first to throw the jack and which team is to throw the first boule.

Throw the jack 6-10 metres away from the circle.

Players stand within the circle to throw their boules and remain within the circle until the boule lands. The aim is to get your boule as close to the jack as possible. This can include hitting an opponent’s boule out of the way.

The team with the boule closest to the jack wins the round (called an end) and scores 1 point. They also score 1 point for each boule that’s closer to the jack than their opponents’ closest boule.

The first boule is thrown by a player belonging to the team that has won the draw or has been the last to score. After that, it is the team that does not hold the point that plays. The winner of the end (round) plays first in the next game/end starting from the jack’s finishing position in the previous end.

Games are usually played to 13 points.

The official rules are available here.

If you are interested in joining the Preston Park pétanque group, please contact prestonparkpetanque@gmail.com

Brighton’s biggest community gardening event
Date: Sunday, February 2nd, 2025
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Location: The Open Market, Brighton

Seedy Sunday is back for its 22nd year, bringing together seasoned gardeners, beginners, and everyone in between for the UK’s largest community seed swap event. Join the perfect start to the gardening season, where you can swap, donate & buy everything you need for your allotment, garden or balcony space.

At the heart of the event is our Seed Swap Table, where you can exchange seeds, discover unique heirloom varieties, and learn from local growing experts.

There will also be inspiring talks and workshops, stalls with plants, gardening equipment, and delicious food, plus the chance to connect with like-minded green fingered folk, and activities for kids and the whole family.

Seedy Sunday 2025

For our older residents in Preston Park Ward, if you are in need of any assistance, please do contact Age UK as they do a fantastic job of finding contacts for people. Happy New Year, FoPP Committee.

Some of Age UK’s local services in Brighton & Hove.

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Older People’s Walk-In Hub

If you haven’t come to see us yet at 95 Queens Road – please do! You can walk in to get information and advice from our team including booking an appointment with our Senior Benefits Advisor.

Did you know £23 Billion in benefits go unclaimed every year? This is usually due to people not knowing they’re entitled to claim. Last year, we supported people, to claim £4.5 million, straight back into the pockets of older people.

We also have Digital volunteers who can support with learning digital devices and problem solving.

We’re working on putting some workshops and events on in the new year and sending out more info soon. Do let me know if you are a service interested in delivering something too!

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Care at Home

In addition to our Help at Home team providing support with shopping and housework, we’ve just launched our new Care at Home team in Brighton & Hove. Whether the need is personal care, assistance with daily tasks, or simply companionship, our team is here to help.

Our Care at Home services can support in everyday life and helping older residents live comfortably at home.

Find out more in the photos below

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** Coming Soon** New Dementia Assessment ServiceWatch this space! In the meantime, a reminder of our service at Tower House, Brighton on Tuesdays.

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Reading / useful

This article caught our eye a few weeks ago: https://www.heyheyjoe.info/post/the-ageing-population-what-impact-will-it-have-on-charities

And we released this research in the Autumn which was a mini piece of qualitative research focusing on Ageing in Brighton & Hove: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/westsussexbrightonhove/about-us/news/articles/age-uk-wsbh-launches-new-research-report-on-ageing-in-brighton–hove/

You also might be interested to read more about Silverline, a national offer already helping over 100 people in the city: https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

Thank you for all that you do in our local communities for Older People – wishing you a happy and healthy 2025!

Brighton & Hove City Council have begun their next round of residents’ meetings. The next meeting will be held at The Park View pub on Monday 2^nd December, in the downstairs area from 4pm until 6pm. The Park View pub address is 71 Preston Drove, BN1 6LD.

The new outdoor gym in Preston Park will be officially opening this Saturday, 16 November from 12 until 13.30.   A Proludic personal trainer will be on-site, sharing fitness tips and demonstrating how to use the equipment safely, as well as boxfit taster sessions from www.fightklub.co.uk Anyone interested is welcome to turn up for a free session or to ask any questions about the equipment.

End Polio Now

Each year the Rotary Club launches the Purple Crocus Corm planting to raise awareness of the Rotary fight for a polio free world. The springtime gorgeous displays of purple crocus corms remind us of the need to eradicate the life threatening and disabling polio virus.

Two million purple corms are available nationwide and you will see many volunteers planting them throughout Brighton and Hove green spaces in October. The first ones were planted by CityParks rangers and volunteers on Friday in St Ann’s Well and by Patcham roundabout. Friends of Preston Park are delighted to take part in this wonderful campaign by planting 8 000 bulbs on the south side of the park and by the Rotunda Cafe.

The crocus corm variety this year is Crocus tommasinianus – Ruby Giant (deep purple). 

When a child receives their life-saving polio drops on mass polio immunisation days, their little finger is painted with a purple dye, so it is clear they have received their polio vaccine- hence the crocus connection.

Please donate today to protect a child. Every donation to the Rotary Club will be trebled by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, so every £1 will become £3.

Donate to End Polio Now

The Rotunda Pond

You may have noticed that over the last eighteen months the Rotunda Pond looked neglected and overgrown.  A lot of debris and rotting vegetation turned the water cloudy and unhealthy, with the surface covered by invasive duckweed. Leaks have made it necessary to top up the water constantly. 

Fortunately work has commenced on the pond as this is the right time of year to do so as the amphibian life are now in the rose beds. The debris and dead and decaying vegetation have been removed and next step is to repair the pond liner, by identifying leaks and draining where necessary. The work should be completed in time for spring.

The Petanque Court

The Petanque Court, sandwiched between the Tennis Courts and the new Outdoor Gym, is growing in popularity with local residents and U3a players. It is a very social sport which encourages interaction with others, teamwork, strategy, competition and is a lot of fun. The Court at Preston Park needs resurfacing as it is quite uneven and shows wear, having lost some of its surface sand. Sadly most of the damage is caused by people using the court for cycling when we have our own velodrome.

A new group of volunteers, the Preston Park Petanque Group, has been set up to undertake the renovation of the court. This involves weeding, edging, filling the depressions with limestone and fine gravel, raking and compacting the new material to create a firm, playable surface. The general and ongoing maintenance will involve cleaning, levelling and re-gravelling when necessary to keep the court in good condition.

If you would like more information about the Petanque Court or would be interested in volunteering or just finding people with whom to play please email at info@friendsofprestonpark.org

Please be reminded that our AGM will be taking place on Friday 15 November at 5-7.30pm at St Peter Cricket Club. Steve Geliot, who initiated the “Save our Starlings” campaign, will be giving a presentation on Brighton starling population. Tea and cakes will be available.