Latest news
Guided tour of Queen’s Park’s Elm collection
Peter Bourne modestly describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as an “Unqualified Elm Researcher with 30 years experience.” In fact, he is one of the country’s acknowledged experts in the genus and is highly regarded by Brighton & Hove City Council, which lists him as the city’s Volunteer Curator for the National Elm Collection.
Peter will be leading a guided tour of the Queen’s Park elm collection on Saturday, 23rd July from 11 am till 12.30 pm. Anyone interested in joining the tour should meet at the Queen’s Park Tennis Club. As numbers may have to be limited please email to let us know you wish to take part in the guided tour.
Have your say – should there be an outside gym in the Park?
The Friends of Queen’s Park are considering bidding for funds to allow an outside gym to be installed in park.
However, before committing to making an application the committee has launched its own consultation with the community to test its views about whether it would like to see such an amenity in the park and, importantly, where it should be sited.
To take part in the consultation click HERE.The deadline to respond to our consultation is 5pm on Friday, 10th June.
Sign up for the butterfly walk
Friends of Queen’s Park have teamed up with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to arrange a series of park walks to kick-start wildlife audit.
The first takes place on Thursday 30th June between 11.30 and 12:30. it will be led by Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Huw Morgan. Participants are asked to meet at the Queen’s Park Tennis Club.
There are limited places available on the walk, so they will be allocated on a first-com-first served basis. Email your interest to: info@fqpbrighton.net popping ‘Butterfly walk’ in the subject line.
Other conducted wildlife walks in the pipeline will focus on bats and fungi.
Locations for new trees
The first phase planting of the trees purchased with money from the Friends of Queen’s Park’s successful bid to the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) has been completed. On-going maintenance will now become a focal point for volunteer days. This will include opportunities for local schools to get involve. Local schools were integral to the success UTCF bid.
The last 9 trees will be planted next year.
Tree planting volunteer day
You are invited to be part of the Friends of Queen’s Park volunteer force supporting the Cityparks team planting the first phase of trees purchased with the funds awarded to us as a result of our successful bid to the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund.
Where: Open Bakery, 1 West Drive, Brighton BN2 0GD
When: 09:30 am
Until: Approximately 2:30 pm
Clothing advice: Waterproofs and hats in case of rain; Wellington or stout boots (if possible with steel toe caps)
Refreshments: The Friends of Queen’s Park will be supplying hot drinks
The planting will include a replacement for the Peace Tree cherry, which, sadly, has died. The tree forms the focal point each year for a ceremony commemorating victims of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on 6th August 1945.
The new one will be planted close to original tree. The old plaque at the base of the old cherry tree will be re-sited at a later date.
Date for Bark in the Park 2022 is set
The date for the Friends of Queen’s Park (FoQP) popular dog show, Bark in the Park, has been set for Saturday, 9th July.
Once again, Coastway Vets will be partnering with FoQP and all funds raised will be going towards the maintenance of the park.
For anyone interested sponsoring the classes or taking a stall email: info@fqpbrighton.net
Click HERE to view Bark in the Park 2021 video.
Today’s tree planting is postponed
Today’s planned volunteer day, which was to be dedicated to planting the first phase of trees funded through our successful Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) bid, has had to be temporarily postponed.
Unfortunately, Cityparks have, so far, been unable to secure the right species from their usual nursery suppliers. They are busy beavering away and aim to have purchased the trees to allow us to re-schedule the tree planting volunteer day. It will now take place on Saturday, 26th February. Specific timings and the locations in the park will be announced nearer the day.
We apologise for the short notice of the postponement of today’s tree planting session. It was out of our control.
Anyone still wishing to volunteer to support the Cityparks tree planting team on 26th February, please register your interest HERE.
Coming soon: have your say on the playground refurbishment
Photograph of Queen’s Park playground courtesy Brighton and Hove News
Brighton & Hove City Council are working closely with Friends of Queen’s Park (FoQP) and members the local community to develop a questionnaire, for the local community to have their say on what a revamped playground should look like. The questionnaire is to be posted on the Council’s consultation portal and, as soon as the consultation is open for responses, FoQP will make an announcement to encourage participation. The analysis of the results will inform the commissioning process and the key play equipment that will be installed in the first phase of the playground refurbishment. Special attention is being given to the durability of materials being used, how they blend with the environment and, importantly, accessibility for children and young people with disabilities.
The revitalisation of the Queen’s Park play playground is part of an ambitious £3 million Council scheme aimed at bringing 42 playgrounds across the city up to date.
Joint funding for Queen’s Park defibrillator
The Friends of Queen’s Park have joined forces with the Queen’s Park Tennis Club to purchase a debribrillator.
The life-saving equipment is to be fixed to the exterior wall of the tennis clubhouse and first aid and training sessions in its use will be announced once the installation has been completed.
Queen’s Park Tennis Club social membership is now available
Supporters of the Friends of Queen’s Park can now enjoy social membership of Queen’s Park Tennis club.
Social membership will entitle you to use the club’s bar and facilities, as well as getting a discount should you wish to hire the clubhouse for an event.
If you wish to register as a social member of the club click HERE.