Welcome
The Friends
Support The Park
Park Events

Committee Report

News from the Committee

A very wet autumn has brought many watery problems to the park, from Marnock Lake to Roundabout Woods. This reminds me that our Park exists because the Victorians tapped the local spring water and created reservoirs. When these became redundant, the area evolved into Grosvenor Recreation Grounds - thanks to Mayor John Stone-Wigg and designer Robert Marnock. For 2025 the friends committee are working on sharing more history through new park interpretation boards and a ten point trail on the website.

Meanwhile park maintenance remains the remit of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, assisted by Kent High Weald Partnership.

Click here to show the rest of the report.

Click here to collapse the report.

FoGH have held several successful events through the autumn, uncovering a wide range of fungi with Keith Palmer, and pond life with Martin Sutton. We also had some spooky Halloween Fun, and a lively fish and chips quiz night with our first ever tie breaker! Looking ahead we have Christmas carols with Create Choir on Sunday 8th December. In 2011 this was the first event FoGH ever hosted.

After 13 years on the committee, and 3 years as Chair, I am looking to step down at the AGM next spring. We have achieved some incredible things since our formation, but I feel it's time for some fresh ideas from a new leadership. We are also looking for a secretary as the incredibly efficient Richard Woodfield is standing down. We also say goodbye to Litter Picker and Gardening Champion Lynda Steers who is moving away from the area. It was Lynda who suggested we had second hand book sales, as she looked to declutter her house, proving that everyone can bring something different to the committee. I'd like to thank Lynda for catching up with park keeper Tony Cheeseman on her morning dog walks, and passing his news on to me.

If you are interested in joining us, on the committee or just as a volunteer, please get in touch. As the year ends, let's thank all the members who have worked hard behind the scenes this year and wish everyone Season's Greetings.

Carolyn Gray: FoGH Chair

December 2024

Previous Reports

  • News from the Committee - September 2024
  • News from the Committee - June 2024
  • News from the Committee - December 2023

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.

Find the Park

Our Park has several access points. Use the postcode TN1 2HU to get to the entrance in Auckland Road. For the Hilbert Road entrance, near the Oast House, use TN2 3SF. All parking for the Park is on residential streets, there is no car park.

Useful Contacts

To report an incident to Kent Police in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park

  • Emergency: dial 999
  • Non-emergency: dial 101

Other contacts

  • Council Parks Department: 01892 554031

To hire The Hub please contact the council to check for availability and instructions by sending an email to parksteam [at] tunbridgewells.gov.uk or by phoning 01892 554031

  • Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park: chair [at] fogh.org.uk

Please note there is a defibrillator at the Hub, if needed phone 999 to get the access code and assistance when using it.

Email the chair of FoGH
Email TWBC to book the Hub

What's On in the Park

Below are our upcoming events, there are more details on our full events page.

Apple Howling with Iron Spring Morris

Sat 4th January 25: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Hilbert Gates / The Oast

Join us as we start the year with Iron Spring Morris as we scare bad spirits from the orchard. We'll start at the Oast where there will be refreshments and dancing, then process to the orchard where we gather to frighten any malignant spirits. Remember to bring pots and pans, whistles and drums to make as much noise as possible.

This event is free to attend, but donations are always welcome.

 

Orchard Activities: Pruning

Sun 2nd February 25: am & pm sessions

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.

26 Apr 25: FoGH Dog Show
 

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.