Friends of Preston Park

The Rose Garden volunteer day has been rescheduled for Saturday 8 December at 10am – meet by the Rotunda. Let’s hope for better weather this time!

To inspire you during your bulb-planting, we’ve asked three brilliant local musicians to play for you, with sets at 11.30, 12.30 and 1.30.

Dylan Hodgson: A young rising star, Dylan’s singing and guitar playing demonstrates a fine developing talent. If you saw his performance at PrestFest in August here’s another chance to see him play.

Donna Fullman: Influences from the 60s and 70s sweep through her bittersweet authentically stunning songs – which embrace the unique vibes of folk, country and blues.

Antony Hodgson: Active on the Brighton music scene for more than 20 years, Antony Hodgson is finally venturing out as a solo artist. He has played guitar or fiddle in folk and americana outfits playing everything from barn dances to country punk. He has been part of Call To Arms, Bonanza, The Jamestown Union and The Righteous Ones. Antony’s real strength is his songwriting and it is this, coupled with carefully chosen covers, that he is showcasing now. His guitar style is influenced by the great English folk players, but Americana is clearly coming to the fore in his current performances.

A volunteer work group is being established for the Rose Garden in Preston Park, with the first session planned for 10.30am on Saturday 29^th September.

All tools will be provided, as well as tea and coffee. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. All children must be accompanied.

Emma Keane, Park Ranger, will be organising the new group. You can contact Emma on Emma.Keane@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Some of you may have seen this feature on page 3 of this Tuesday’s Argus.

Thanks to Jilly Welch who took many of these photos on her iPhone. Click on the button in the bottom-right corner of the slide to see the photos full screen. If you’re having trouble viewing this on a mobile device, see the slideshow on Flickr.

Here’s a line-up of scheduled events at PrestFest this Saturday from 11.30 …

• 11.30 Zumba fitness: funky rhythms and easy dance moves
• 11.50 Dylan Hodgson: Brighton’s young guitar hopeful serves up an engaging blend of American Folk and Roots. A beautiful starter for the afternoon’s musical acts.
• 12.20 Huxley’s Birds of Prey demonstration
• 12.50 K-Bis Theatre School
• 13.05 The DBs: a blend of anti-folk….. a bit of Easy Rider…. a bit of Woodstock …. a bit of Lark Rise to Candleford …. perfect for an afternoon in the park!
• 13.50 Wolflung: a chilled blend of latin jazz rhythms, caustic lyrics and sweet sweet guitars.
• 14.30 Huxley’s Birds of Prey demonstration
• 15.00 Duke of Burgundy: An upbeat blend of folk, rock and reggae. Turning up the tempo after your picnics!
• 15.50 Zumba fitness: funky rhythms and easy dance moves
• 16.15 Azul: a vibrant mix of North Brazilian Carnival music with drumming, singing and dancing. Brazilian Roots music at its best! The highlight of Kemp Town Carnival earlier this year, you will just have to join in with this lot!

Throughout the day you can take advantage of a wide range of arts and crafts, community groups, games and sports, as well as the best food and drink available anywhere. Full details here.

These lovely paintings of Preston Park by Alejandro Martinez Rodriguez will be on show as just one of many art and craft exhibits at this year’s PresFest on August 25th. Don’t miss it.

Emma is the new Ranger for Preston Park.

What is it you enjoy about the work?
What don’t I like about my job! I particularly like the enthusiasm of the people I work with, colleagues and public alike. I feel we’re all working towards a common aim – sounds cheesy but it’s true.

What do you feel are your contributions to the park?
Not a lot at the moment because I’ve only been the Preston Park Ranger for a couple of months. Right now I’m enjoying gathering information from park-goers and the Friends group and getting a feel for the park.

What do you think are the best things about the park?
Well, the variety of activities and the variation of ways in which people enjoy the space. I love the wide open space of the park as well as its areas of wood. It’s one of the most important parks in the city – the gateway park really. It provides so much enjoyment on so many different levels. And don’t forget I grew up around the park – I spent my childhood here so I’m really very fond of it.

What are your ambitions for the park?
I’d like to see some work in the wild area near Preston Manor, and more work with wildflowers – perhaps the area of wildflowers could be extended. I’d like to see more information in the park about its colourful history. My interest is working with the community so I’d like to see as many people as possible involved in the park – it’s the people’s open space.

Retired Preston Park gardener, Peter Riddleston, shown above, was interviewed by the Friends of Preston Park and oral historian Jo Palache in order to make his fascinating memories of the park’s history available to everyone. His vivid recollections start from the second world war and include his meetings with Captain Bertie MacLaren, who was instrumental in designing the Preston Park that we know today.

Listen to the interview and see Peter’s collection of photos of bygone days in Preston Park and Preston Village.