Latest news
Adverse weather threatens Carols in the Park
Posted 8 months ago
The organiser of Carols in the Park, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, 5th December at 6pm in the Royal Spa Nursery play area, is anxiously keeping a close watch on the weather forecast and will take a decision at 11am on the day of the event, whether to press ahead, postpone, or cancel it completely.
Friends of Queen’s Park Vice-chair Sarah Healey, who leads on the organisation of the popular annual community said: “With high winds of up to 25 mph and a 95 percent chance of rain currently being forecast, we will need to take a decision in the morning of the event whether it is safe to press ahead or not.”
Once a decision is taken it will be broadcast on the Friends of Queen’s Park website, via direct mail and on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Threads and Instagram.
Continuing Sarah said: “Rescheduling Carols in the Park before Christmas will depend on the availability of the Salvation Army band, the Vox Community Choir and whether access to the Royal Spa Nursery will still be possible – not to mention obtaining a new license in time to sell mulled wine.
“In other words, there are a lot of moving parts that need to be put in place if it will be possible or not.”
Carols in the Park 2025
Posted 9 months ago
Friday, 5th December entry from 6pm
The annual Carols in the Park, brought to you by the Friends of Queen’s Park, takes place in the play area of the Royal Spa Nursery on Friday, 5th December.
Featuring the Salvation Army brass band and the Vox Community Choir, mulled wines, mince pies, soft drinks and biscuits will be available. While contactless payment will be available, cash will also be accepted. All profits raised will go towards maintaining the park. Access will be from 6 pm onwards,
Click HERE to download the Carols sheet.
Volunteers wanted
The Friends of Queen’s Park is looking for willing volunteers to help on the day with the following tasks:
- Setting up from 4pm at the Royal Spa
- Serving and distributing mulled wine and refreshments
- Audience support
- Litter picking
- Post event clear up
Finally, a reminder that NO DOGS will be allowed in the Nursery’s play area.
JOIN THE BIG CLEAN
Posted 9 months ago
The Friends of Queen’s Park big Autumn park clean takes place on Sunday, 16th November from 10 o’clock till noon.
It will follow Junior Parkrun and those wishing to take part in the Big Clean should make their way to Queen’s Park Tennis Club where tools and jobs will be assigned.
All children taking part will get a FREE hot chocolate and a biscuit.
To sign up in advance either scan the QR code in the graphic or email HERE.
Rain stopped play and today’s bat walk
Posted 11 months ago
As a result of the heavy rain the planned guided bat walk scheduled to take place today, has been postponed.
The walk, which will be led by Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Huw Edwards, has been rescheduled to take place on Wednesday, 17th September starting at 7:20.
It should be noted that if the weather is wet again, the bat walk may be postponed again. Huw Edwards advised that bats do not fly if soaked by rain.
Bats about bats?
Posted 12 months ago
The Friends of Queen’s Park will be hosting another guided bat walk on Wednesday, 10th September starting at 7:30 pm from the front of the Queen’s Park Tennis Club.
The expert guide will be Huw Morgan from the charity Sussex Wild Life Trust and, while there is no charge, donations to the charity are always welcome.
Numbers will be limited and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To register to attend the walk click HERE.
Sign-up for the second guided history walk of the year
Posted 12 months ago
There is to be another chance to join a guided history walk taking place on Sunday, 7th September.
Once again the walk will be led by local historian Peter Crowhurst (pictured).
The walk will start at 11 am from the Park Street entrance and it is estimated that it will conclude around at 1 o’clock. Please note that course of the walk means that it will pass through the dog-free area, so participants are asked not to bring their dogs with them.
The walk covers the development of Queen’s Park and those adjacent streets, which were once part of the park’s estate, from the time it was open farmland in Hilly Laine to when the park was landscaped for use as a public park becoming, perhaps, the most ornamental park in Brighton at the time.
Numbers will be restricted and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Anyone interest in learning about the history of Queen’s Park should click HERE.
BRIGHTON TREE FESTIVAL: guided walks in Queen’s Park
Posted Friday June 6, 2025
Queen’s Park will be part of the first citywide Tree Festival taking place this month. The park’s contribution to the Festival will take place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June with guided walks led by local arboriculturist Alister Peters.
If you would like to reserve a place on either of the walks, which will take place between 10.30 and noon on both days, click HERE remembering to specify which day you would like to attend. We will try to accommodate everyone’s wishes, but may ask you to switch days if either gets over subscribed.
Meet in front of the clubhouse of the Queen’s Park Tennis club.
Bark in the Park 2025 – official video and full results
Posted Thursday May 29, 2025
Bark in the Park is over for another year. The winners of all eleven classes have been decided, including the Best in Show 2025, who turned out to be Jax (left) a red Labrador.
The community event has raised in excess of £2,500 which will be ploughed back into the maintenance of the park supplementing the diminishing funds available from the local authority.
Commenting Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the Friends of Queen’s Park said: “We are a nation of dog lovers and Bark in the Park provides a perfect backdrop for local lovers of our four-legged friends to come together for a fun community event.
“Understandably, owners are eager for their dogs to be recognised by the judges, but everyone puts aside their competitive instincts in favour of having a good time. And, if you watch the official video by award-winning photographer Keith Worthington, you’ll see that’s exactly what they did!
“The annual event would not be possible without the input of our headline sponsor, Coastway Vets and our support sponsor Sure Property Solutions, but of course, all the class sponsors and those running the pitches deserve to be mentioned too.”
FULL CLASS RESULTS:
Cutest puppy (under 1 year-old) sponsored by Creature Clothes:
1st Astra
2nd Ziggy
3rd Ozzy
Handsomest Dog sponsored by Play9
1st Jax
2nd Lucky
3rd Walter
Prettiest Girl sponsored by Moshimo
1st Pina Colada
2nd Lizzy
3rd Frida
Doggie Triathlon sponsored by Creature Clothes
1st Cap
2nd Winnie
3rd Coro
Golden Oldie over 7 years old sponsored by Paws with a Cause
1st Daisy
2nd Chunk
3rd Bob
Best Rescue sponsored Boy by Paws with a Cause
1st Harry
2nd Teddy
3rd Scooby
Best Rescue sponsored Girl by Paws with a Cause
1st Julia
2nd Luna
3rd = Pearl and Roxy
Temptation Alley sponsored by Paul Bott
1st Barney
2nd Sophie
3rd = Pippa and Wilbur
Fancy Dress sponsored by The Camelford Arms
1st Emmett
2nd Fred
3rd Sophie
Best Trick sponsored by Creature Clothes
1st Cap
2nd Meg
3rd Lucky
Fancy Sausage Catcher sponsored by The Camelford Arms
1st Barney
2nd Beady
BEST IN SHOW sponsored by The Camelford Arms
WINNER: Jax, Red Labrador
Woof! Woof! It is nearly time for Bark
Posted Tuesday May 13, 2025
It is nearly time for the annual canine fest, better known as Bark in the Park.
It takes place on Sunday, 25th May in the dog area of the park. Registration for all the classes will start in the Coastway Vets‘ tent at 11 am, with the first class, Cutest Puppy, opening the show at noon.
The climax of the event will be the judges’ pick for the top title, Best in Show and that will take place around 3.15 pm.
The will more stalls offering dog-related products, providing helpful dog care information and, of course, there will be a range of food options on offer too.
Commenting Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the Friends of Queen’s Park and presenter of RadioReverb‘s Pet Show, said: “This is always a joyous fun community event that helps raise much-needed funds for the maintenance of the park and there is already quite a buzz among local dog owners.”
Free AED/CPR training course available
Posted Sunday March 9, 2025
The Friends of Queen’s Park has arranged for AED and CPR (Automated External Defibrillator and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training to take place on Saturday, 29th March in the clubhouse of the Queen’s Park Tennis Club.
The training will be delivered by the Sussex Heart Charity and take place between 1 and 3 pm. The course is free and places will be allocated on a strict first-come-first-served basis.
To apply for a place on the course should email info@fqpbrighton.net.