It’s been a great first season for the Friends of Havenstoke Park, our new volunteer group that enables our community to contribute to our local outdoor spaces. The aim is to give residents an opportunity to feel some ownership of the parks around them as well as meet new people, but also to help us ensure our green spaces remain well run and welcoming.

We help to facilitate the work of volunteers who take it upon themselves to weed beds or plant bulbs for example. Participants are able to pick up equipment from the office at the Water Tower between 9am-1pm during weekdays, and complete one of our suggested seasonal jobs at any point during the week, or simply tend to some of our local green space. Upon completing a task and returning the equipment, Friends will receive a free drink voucher for the Chapel. 

Furthermore, there are group gardening mornings every few months for people who are looking to meet others in the community whilst also helping to maintain our green spaces, and this enables people to have some company during the gardening. We have had two very successful group meetings, that are always accompanied by tea and coffee. The group of volunteers that went out in November were amazing. They contributed greatly by gardening, tidying and planting bulbs that we hope to see in spring! 

Sue, who is a member of our group said “CCDT, who owns and manages the park know how much the space means to local residents, and they have set up the Friends of Havenstoke Park group to help care for the park. Friends can take part in organised gardening and tidying up events, or simply help out with a project whenever they feel like it. It feels like giving back somehow.”

Our next group meeting is on the 23rd of February from 10am to 1pm, and we would love to see as many volunteers there as possible to help us garden in preparation for Spring! Visit our website to find the link to get tickets so we know who will be coming. 

If you would like to get involved in this exciting group then please email sarah@chichestercdt.org.uk to get further information. The group gardening mornings are put on Ticket Source, as well as advertised on our Facebook page, and can be found if you look at events organised by Chichester CDT at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/.