Our 'Spring 2017' 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 are an enthusiastic group who wish to encourage everyone, with an interest in Sydney Gardens, to become a member. The FoSG newsletter will keep you informed of what is happening to your park.
If you would like to become a member of FoSG or have any suggestions on improving or maintaining your park, please contact the FoSG secretary Lizzie, email: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org.
FoSG are an enthusiastic group who wish to encourage everyone, with an interest in Sydney Gardens, to become a member. The FoSG newsletter will keep you informed of what is happening to your park.
If you would like to become a member of FoSG or have any suggestions on improving or maintaining your park, please contact the FoSG secretary Lizzie, email: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org.
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Jan 2017 – Excellent News!
The HLF bid, submitted at the end of August, by B&NES and supported by the Sydney Gardens Steering Group (SGSG), for a Stage 1 application for funding from the HLF, was successful. We are pleased to report that this resulted in a £332,000 grant and is the first part of a programme to improve Sydney Gardens. Starting in the spring, a design team will be working with the local community, including FoSG, to develop plans in more detail. A full application for the Stage 2 funding of £3.3m will be submitted in August 2018. We encourage local residents & Sydney Gardens users to take this opportunity to provide input. Contact: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org
The HLF bid, submitted at the end of August, by B&NES and supported by the Sydney Gardens Steering Group (SGSG), for a Stage 1 application for funding from the HLF, was successful. We are pleased to report that this resulted in a £332,000 grant and is the first part of a programme to improve Sydney Gardens. Starting in the spring, a design team will be working with the local community, including FoSG, to develop plans in more detail. A full application for the Stage 2 funding of £3.3m will be submitted in August 2018. We encourage local residents & Sydney Gardens users to take this opportunity to provide input. Contact: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org
AGM 26th November 2016 - Chairman’s report
Since our 2015 AGM significant steps have been taken with regard to Sydney Gardens. I begin by reporting on the progress of the Steering Committee. As reported in 2015, the genesis of the Steering Committee was the Management Committee set up by B&NES and other stakeholders to oversee all major decisions concerning the management of Sydney Gardens. The Steering Committee comprises: elected local B&NES councillors, local residents’ groups, FoSG and the Holburne Museum.
As reported last year, the main topic for discussion was the proposed Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, for investment from HLF to bring about improvements to Sydney Gardens. The HLF bid put before the HLF in 2013 was not supported by FoSG and the bid was subsequently withdrawn. Since that time, and with the creation of the Steering Committee, a fresh bid was proposed by B&NES, which considered many of the concerns raised by FoSG and others.
Following many meetings of the Steering Committee, a draft bid was created which was acceptable to all stakeholders represented. This bid was submitted in August 2016 with the support of FoSG. It should be emphasised that this bid is for Stage 1 funds only, i.e. for funding to further develop the plans and ideas. If successful, nothing submitted so far will constitute a final plan, so there will still be plenty of opportunities for groups and individuals to have their voices heard. (Outcome reported above).
It is worth mentioning that throughout this recent process, it was made clear to FoSG that unless we were in full support of the idea of a bid, as well as the general themes included within the bid, then no bid would be submitted. We have been involved and included at every stage of the process and it is fair to say that B&NES have greatly valued our efforts.
Since our 2015 AGM significant steps have been taken with regard to Sydney Gardens. I begin by reporting on the progress of the Steering Committee. As reported in 2015, the genesis of the Steering Committee was the Management Committee set up by B&NES and other stakeholders to oversee all major decisions concerning the management of Sydney Gardens. The Steering Committee comprises: elected local B&NES councillors, local residents’ groups, FoSG and the Holburne Museum.
As reported last year, the main topic for discussion was the proposed Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, for investment from HLF to bring about improvements to Sydney Gardens. The HLF bid put before the HLF in 2013 was not supported by FoSG and the bid was subsequently withdrawn. Since that time, and with the creation of the Steering Committee, a fresh bid was proposed by B&NES, which considered many of the concerns raised by FoSG and others.
Following many meetings of the Steering Committee, a draft bid was created which was acceptable to all stakeholders represented. This bid was submitted in August 2016 with the support of FoSG. It should be emphasised that this bid is for Stage 1 funds only, i.e. for funding to further develop the plans and ideas. If successful, nothing submitted so far will constitute a final plan, so there will still be plenty of opportunities for groups and individuals to have their voices heard. (Outcome reported above).
It is worth mentioning that throughout this recent process, it was made clear to FoSG that unless we were in full support of the idea of a bid, as well as the general themes included within the bid, then no bid would be submitted. We have been involved and included at every stage of the process and it is fair to say that B&NES have greatly valued our efforts.
A selection of fungi seen in Sydney Gardens February 2017, have you seen them?
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Community Matters
Waitrose kindly agreed that FoSG could again, be included in their regular collections for local worthy causes. The £1000 cheque seen here being presented to FoSG chairman Jonny East, by the manager of Waitrose, Bath branch, on 27th February 2017. The £1000 is divided between the three causes, on a percentage basis as voted by the public: FoSG received £392.00.
Waitrose kindly agreed that FoSG could again, be included in their regular collections for local worthy causes. The £1000 cheque seen here being presented to FoSG chairman Jonny East, by the manager of Waitrose, Bath branch, on 27th February 2017. The £1000 is divided between the three causes, on a percentage basis as voted by the public: FoSG received £392.00.
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Volunteers Required
Litter is collected by B&NES from Sydney Gardens on week days only, because of this from July 2014 FoSG volunteers have been collecting litter at the weekend. B&NES parks department support FoSG effort by providing high visibility jackets, litter pickers, gloves and refuse bags. FoSG have also established a group of volunteers to help with small maintenance tasks in the garden e.g. weeding, clearing flower beds and green shoots/planting days for bulbs and other plants. Come and join us and make a difference to your park. Contact: info@friendsofsydneygardens.org |
Thank you
FoSG would like to thank Ashman Jones Vets for their support. Now available - cat only clinics; for details please call. 
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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
Committee members
Jonathan East (Chairman)
Michael Logothetis (Vice Chair)
Lizzie Millne (Secretary)
Richard Brown (Treasurer)
Roger Boothroyd
Gill Gazzard
Caroline Greenwood
Jack Sparrow
Jonathan East (Chairman)
Michael Logothetis (Vice Chair)
Lizzie Millne (Secretary)
Richard Brown (Treasurer)
Roger Boothroyd
Gill Gazzard
Caroline Greenwood
Jack Sparrow