Our 'Spring' 2014 Newsletter
Sydney Gardens is the only remaining Georgian Pleasure Park in the country. The Friends of Sydney Gardens (FoSG) feel strongly that this special place should be protected and conserved to ensure the park can be enjoyed by young and old for many years to come.
FoSG have established an enthusiastic group who wish to encourage everyone, with an interest in Sydney Gardens, to become members. The FoSG newsletter will keep you informed of what is happening to your park. You can subscribe here to have the newsletter emailed.
If you would like to become a member of FoSG or have any suggestions on improving or maintaining your park, please contact us, email: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org.
FoSG have established an enthusiastic group who wish to encourage everyone, with an interest in Sydney Gardens, to become members. The FoSG newsletter will keep you informed of what is happening to your park. You can subscribe here to have the newsletter emailed.
If you would like to become a member of FoSG or have any suggestions on improving or maintaining your park, please contact us, email: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org.
HLF Bid Update
The first FoSG newsletter told of the proposed second bid by B&NES to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under the Parks for People Scheme. The first bid had failed partly because B&NES could not provide sufficient evidence of support by a community group such as ourselves. When FoSG were given details of the second bid, we were concerned that B&NES intention was to set up a Trust with the Holburne Museum which would operate and manage Sydney Gardens on a commercial basis. Any monies obtained from the HLF would be spent on remodelling Sydney Gardens to facilitate this and the provision of staff such as an Events Manager would be based at the Holburne Museum. The Trust would lease the gardens from B&NES for a peppercorn rent. The FoSG requested B&NES to confirm that the Gardens would not be placed in a Trust and that FoSG would have right of approval over how HLF money was distributed. B&NES refused to confirm either requests. Therefore it was considered this could not be in the interest of the park and its users and we have indicated to B&NES we cannot support the bid on those terms.
Network Rail
The planned electrification of the Paddington to Penzance line will have an impact on Sydney Gardens. How great this impact will be is not yet known. B&NES are expecting the release of Network Rail’s plans in the near future. Hopefully we will have more information about this in our next newsletter. |
Public Toilets
All of the public toilets in B&NES have been handed to ‘Healthmatic’for maintenance and refurbishment. The date for refurbishment of Sydney Garden toilets is not yet known. Eventually a charge for the use of toilets will be made. If a problem is found with the toilets report directly to the company: number is on the toilet door. |
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Forthcoming Events
Sunday 13 April 2014 - from 12-4pm: World Heritage Day celebrations will be held in Sydney Gardens. It is a free event with activities for all ages. Saturday 21 June 2014 – from 10-2pm: ‘Mark in the Park’ bring along your personal belongings and have the items invisibly marked to aid recovery if lost or stolen. |
Volunteers Required
The FoSG would like to establish a base of volunteers to help with small tasks in the garden e.g. picking up litter and garden maintenance. If you feel you could give time to support your gardens, please email us: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org. |
Useful Info
If you wish to report a problem in Sydney Gardens, you can speak to the gardener who is available Monday to Friday. Otherwise call:
Council Connect:
01225 394041.
After-hours and weekends:
01225 477477
If you wish to report a problem in Sydney Gardens, you can speak to the gardener who is available Monday to Friday. Otherwise call:
Council Connect:
01225 394041.
After-hours and weekends:
01225 477477