The Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park
FoGH was set up in 2011. Our key focus is to enhance the quality of life for our community; raise awareness of ecology; and encourage the local community to take an interest in the conservation of the Park. Our work takes many forms, from family events, talks, walks and gardening, to ecological projects, such as rewilding the orchard.
Get Involved in the Park
The are two ways you can get involved with the park.
Join the Friends
We are a volunteer-run group that relies on donations from events and membership fees. By signing up and joining the Friends you will help fund our work and put on community events in the park.
Follow the link and sign-up on line.
Volunteer
Alternatively or additionally you might like to volunteer to undertake tasks around the park. We regularly hold weeding and planting event and there's always litter picking.
Simply sign up to our volunteer newsletter and we will tell you when something suitable is planned.
Fundraising
One of our aims is to raise some money to provide extra resources for the park that would not be funded in any other way. Just like our recent purchase of a water fountain, now situated by the Auckland Road entrance.
Most of our money comes from member fees and donations and we also make a small charge on ticketed events. This source of funds is usually channelled into a longer term project.
Our current project is to undertake a refurbishment of the information boards that were added as part the 2013 Lottery project and to add more where we have gathered further information to share.
Our previous project was the Wildflower Meadow in the Community Orchard where we support the development and enlargement of the meadow with the purchase of specialist equipment and professional advice and assistance from our partners in this project The Kent High Weald Partnership. This is on-going but we have sufficient funds ring-fenced to complete this.
The Community Orchard project was part of the lottery funded regeneration project for Grosvenor and Hilbert Park and is managed by the Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park in partnership with the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
The Community Orchard is located in the field behind the top football pitch. This had laid fallow since the war when it was used for allotments so the soil is really good.
Initially 15 lottery funded trees were planted in early December 2014. The first phase of community sponsored trees went in during February 2015, with a second phase planted in December and a final stage to complete the orchard in 2016.
Watch the trees mature and enjoy sharing the fruit!
Dog Memorial
The Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park have set up a 'Dog Memorial' on a tree stump in the park. The Friends appreciate how much the park is loved by both dogs and their owners and understand how much canine companions mean to their families.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has granted permission for the memorial to be established on the tree stump next to the lower football pitch, under the management of the Friends group.
If you would like to add a plaque in memory of your beloved dog then please read the notes below and contact dogmemorial@fogh.org.uk to arrange a date and time to attach it, with a FoGH representative present to help you.
Newsletter Archive
The FoGH newsletter has been a crucial part of our communication since we launched in 2011. If you want to see how the Friends group has developed over the years or read stories we have uncovered then downloading these are a good place to start. We now produce a simpler publication we're calling Park Life, all previous copies can be seen below:
Events in the Park
Below are our upcoming events, there are more details on our full events page.
KHWP: Bird Box Making Workshop
Wed 8th April: Two sessions: 10am & 11am
The Hub
A creative, family-friendly workshop where you can build and/or decorate your very own bird box to take home. Our team will guide you through the process step-by-step, making this activity suitable for all ages and abilities.You will also have the opportunity to register your new bird box with the Community Nature Reserve, helping expand the network of wildlife habitats across Tunbridge Wells.
This event is free to attend, but donations are always welcome.
FoGH are not the lead on this event, tickets can be obtained at tickettailor.com
Orchard Activities: Wildflower Meadow
Sat 18th April: 10.30 am - noon
The Community Orchard
This is a volunteer activity day and will include some physical work to further improve the look of the park.
FoGH volunteers will be working in the orchard to keep everything tidy.Also coming soon - for more details check our full events page.
18 Apr: Cherry Blossom Picnic
25 Apr: FoGH Dog Show
10 May: Pond Dipping
