The community for users of Preston Park in Brighton, UK
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.
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.
Following the launch of the Rose Garden Appeal in February David Austin, the famous UK rose grower, has kindly agreed to match fund any money raised. Therefore we are aiming to reach a goal of £2,500 so that we can order roses this summer to plant in early 2024. We are counting on your generosity in order to restore and maintain the much loved integrity of the Rose Garden. Please donate using the Donate button.
The Rose Garden was designed in the 19th century. It was restored and replanted in 2001 with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and the current planting incorporates four thousand shrub-rose bushes selected for their smell and attractive bloom. With as many as one hundred different species it is a showcase for the famous rose breeder David Austin, who has supplied the park with roses for a number of years. When in full bloom, the scent and colour of the roses is magical, and visitors come from afar to see the city’s largest rose garden. However, over the years we have lost some of the plants and many are now aged and in need of replacement. It has been assessed that we need to replace 500 bushes as well as applying new fertiliser. The cost of the entire project is approximately £5,000. Therefore, Friends of Preston Park is launching an appeal to raise the necessary funds so that we can initiate the process of plant replacement and complete the garden overall. if you would like to contribute please do so using our donate button on this website.
Here are some pictures of empty beds which need new rose bushes
The entrance to the walled garden was overgrown and volunteers cleared the bramble and long grass, which were hiding the hellebores and bluebells. Dead trees were chopped off and ivy removed from the walls. The lavender alley is being progressively extended with the removal of bramble.
