Change is in the winter air

We are drawing closer to winter and with it will come the start of some big and long awaited changes in the park.

November will kick off the exciting changes with the much needed and desired skate park repairs and improvements.  Gravity plan to begin the work from the week commencing 17th November and should not take more than a week or two to complete, weather and unexpected challenges permitting.

Then on the same side of the park, our Community Orchard will begin to take shape during National Tree Week (the first week of December).  We shall be having 15 semi-mature fruit trees planted to start the orchard off with our first phase of community planting to occur in the coming February. There will be a planning event on Sat 8th November that everyone is welcome to get involved with - look out for posters and information in the park and on the FofGH and park Facebook pages.  And then an orchard grid marking volunteer day on Thursday 27th November.  Details of how you can dedicate and plant your own tree will be published shortly.  But if you want to be more involved in the orchard project please contact the Community Engagement Officer or the Friends group.

Works on the Pavilion area and Rochdale Road entrance will be the next works to begin following that.  The HLF project team currently have an artist drawing up pictures of what the park will potentially look like following the works so people can see what the end goal is following the few months of the park looking like a building site!  These will be coming very soon.

You may have noticed more people armed with tools in the park lately.  We have a volunteer day each Thursday and on Fridays, a small group of Oakley School senior students do work experience in the park to help prepare them for when they finish school.  Overall we hope to improve the habitats in the nature reserve side of the park and enhance different areas of the park for visitors and park users.  There does seem to be a constant battle against litter and dog poo but hopefully the better kept the park is, the better people will treat it.

Oakley boys armed with litter pickers!

Friday 10th October was World Mental Health Day and to help raise awareness the Tunbridge Wells Health Team and Kent High Weald Partnership held an event in the park.  There was information on local services and also a few activities that people could have a go at such as wood working and gardening.  Despite the dubious weather it was a good day with a good objective. One in four people are reportedly affected by mental health issues and there are some great services and groups out there to support and help people.

Green woodworking in action

It has been proven that doing outdoor work such as conservation and gardening can aid physical and mental wellbeing. So if you fancy coming and volunteering in the park or with the Kent High Weald Partnership do get in touch.

You will find the latest volunteer programme on the park noticeboards by the Pavilion and the Hilbert Road gate.  There is always something fun going on in the park so this is where you will also find details of upcoming events and activities.

Finally, we end this post with some lovely pictures of wild art and fairy homes made by local school children in the park.  Those of you that noticed an increase in the noise levels in the park recently will know when these were created!