Follow us on Facebook
If you don’t have Facebook, we have you covered. You can read the latest activity listed below. For those with Facebook, why not read the latest posts and join in the discussions on the Friends of Denton Gardens Facebook page.
Pleased to see a greater spotted woodpecker in the gardens this morning. Never seen one there before in my 34 years of walking through the gardens
If you’ve strolled through the sunken garden in the last 24 hours you may be wondering why it looks more like a bomb site than a genteel, historic, green oasis. So what’s going on?![]()
![]()
Well, it’s the next phase in our plan to replant the area to make the space more open and friendly by removing the phormiums. Phormiums offer comparatively little by way of benefit to nature, and had become too dominant in the space, creating hiding places which can encourage anti-social behaviour.![]()
![]()
Our new planting concept employs coast tolerant plants that will offer softness, colour, movement and openness, with year-round interest. The plants will be low maintenance and attractive to wildlife, with a mix of grasses and perennials, and at a height that can be seen over, to make the space feel inviting and integrated with the rest of the gardens. This is an extension of the scheme we have already started planting around pergola.![]()
![]()
In the short term the lower level beds will be turfed, creating space for families to play, picnic and socialise, while we are busy fundraising to get all the beds planted up over the next few seasons.![]()
![]()
If you are willing and able to help us in this endeavour there is a donate button on our website [www.friendsofdentongardens.org/](www.friendsofdentongardens.org/) or keep an eye on our Facebook page for forthcoming events.
Before and after a couple of hours. Still more work to be done on this bed. There’s an invasive deep rooted plant there called Bear’s Breeches (!) which we have been struggling to dig out. Great exercise!
We had a really productive morning in beautiful sunshine, ☀️cutting back the summer’s dead growth. Denton Gardens had been so long neglected that our to-do list will take us right through the winter. ![]()
![]()
There is something truly satisfying in working with others to make our bit of the world more lovely. 🏞️![]()
![]()
There’s also fresh air, gentle exercise, good company and horticultural education, as well as welcome warm drinks ☕️☕️☕️from our generous neighbour Coast. ![]()
![]()
This Saturday is our monthly concerted effort. Come and join us for a couple of hours:10-12.![]()
![]()
Everyone is welcome. 😀
Gardening tomorrow (pruning and tidying) 10-12![]()
Weather looks good![]()
See you there 👩🌾👨🌾
What rain?? 🤷🏻♂️grabbing the moment, we managed to clear a bed before the rain set back in.
This was last week and we were talking about how it’s always sunny on Wednesdays. And now today! See you next week folks.
It was a lovely and warm morning in Denton Gardens. Great team effort tidying up the new perennial planting beds, cutting lawn edges and weeding.![]()
We are a wildlife-conscious lot and we selectively cleared the beds, leaving some flowering pollinator-rewarding plants alone.![]()
Common ragwort (Senecio jacobea), for example, is considered a dangerous weed on pasture used for grazing by cattle and horses, but it's also a very important food source for many insects and is no threat in gardens.![]()
In another part of the Gardens, a low carpet of speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) adorns the edges of the perennial borders with its light-blue flowers.
Great team effort today to get the beds by the pergola planted up with 235 new plants! Thanks to Jade for her beautiful planting scheme, the parks department for their time and support and all the volunteers for their time and effort. Oh, and of course Coast cafe for the drinks. Here are a few pics.
A great team effort cleared the second bed this morning. Well done everyone. And big thanks as usual to our friends at Coast for refreshments. ![]()
![]()
New plants arriving on Wednesday, so all volunteers ready to plant really welcome 10-12.
A good morning’s work clearing the eastern bed ready for the new plants. The western bed will be tackled on Saturday.
Planting Sub-Committee Report - AGM, 1st September 2022 Louise Corcoran, Secretary, Friends of Denton Gardens![]()
![]()
Friends of Denton Gardens Planting sub-committee has been blessed with having 2 amazingly knowledgeable and talented landscape architects - Jade Goto and Michal Zarzecki, plus invaluable input from Anthony and Dave from the Council Parks team, as well as input early on from our other expert landscape gardener, Jools Owen. This pool of talent has been hugely beneficial and I’d like to thank them all for their time and contributions.![]()
![]()
Pergola CIL Project![]()
Very early on, almost immediately after being constituted last September in fact, we had the opportunity to apply for up to £10k of funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy, or CIL, for a one-off project to improve the gardens, but the deadline was ridiculously short. However, we managed to pull together an application centred around the 2022 centenary involving replacing and replanting the pergola area and installing a commemorative centenary stone. We still have a bit more planting to do, in the borders either side of the pergola, and benches to install, but hopefully you have all seen, and many of you have helped with, the amazing transformation we have made so far with this work. So thank you to the volunteer gardeners who have helped make all of this possible.![]()
![]()
Sunken Garden![]()
We are hoping to replant the sunken garden area next, and Jade has produced a beautiful planting scheme. We have already drawn on her ideas from this for underplanting the pergola, so the sunken garden would be an extension of this theme. You can see illustrations of the plants in the handouts being displayed this evening.![]()
We wanted to make the space more open and friendly, to encourage visitors and locals young and old, and to reduce hiding places and discourage anti-social behaviour. The concept employs coast tolerant plants that will offer softness, colour movement and openness, with year-round interest. The plants chosen are low maintenance and will attract wildlife, with a mix of grasses and perennials. The plants will flower successionally from May - October, after which the structure of the grasses and seed-heads will remain. The plants will be at a height that can be seen over, to make the space feel inviting and integrated with the rest of the gardens. Four specimen trees will be planted within the four corners of the beds, positioned to maintain the view through the garden.![]()
We do not currently have funding, but hope to fundraise during the course of the next year to take this forward, probably in a staged approach as we fundraise. Removal of the phormiums starts this winter in preparation and we would welcome your feedback.![]()
![]()
Former Pond![]()
We have also had discussions about the former pond. For the forthcoming season, we plan to plant it up with wildflowers while we consider longer term options. Returning it to a fully working pond looks to be too high maintenance, but installing a water feature could be more realistic. This is something for the new committee to take forward. Any comments or suggestions welcome.![]()
![]()
Woodland Border![]()
Our next main project is the Woodland Border, which runs along the length of the western edge of the gardens, which Michal is taking the lead on.![]()
Our initial ideas are based around improving the ecological value of this area, complementing and improving on the existing planting. We are proposing selective clearing, crown lifting and thinning of the understory layer (shrubs and smaller trees) to open up the composition enough to make it unattractive for antisocial behaviour and rough sleeping, whilst also adding some new planting, including native trees and shrubs, to fill in some larger gaps. Some shade-tolerant thorny shrubs could be considered along the edge of properties to act as security buffer if necessary.![]()
The planting scheme could also include herbaceous ground flora, including ferns and flowering perennials, to extend visual interest into the winter months and early spring. The early flowering plants would also provide early-season foraging for insects.![]()
The ecological value would further be bolstered by manmade enhancements, such as log piles for beetles, and bird and bat boxes.![]()
Some interpretation boards illustrating the key features are proposed to raise awareness of the enhancements. We would hope to embark on this next year, and would love your comments.![]()
Eastern Border![]()
The eastern border will continue to be maintained as it is for the time being, but again we would welcome any planting ideas looking further forward.
👩🌾🧑🌾👨🌾![]()
![]()
The gardening group are meeting Wednesday and Saturday mornings this week to prepare the ground for the new plants due to arrive next week. ![]()
![]()
Everyone is very welcome to join us; enjoy the gentle exercise, the autumn sunshine, the cameraderie and the feeling of doing something good for our local environment. ![]()
![]()
What’s not to like? 👍😀☀️🪴🪴
Friends of Denton Gardens Financial Report 2022: ![]()
![]()
We have had quite a successful year financially.![]()
Our Secretary managed to secure ten thousand pounds of funding from CIL (Community![]()
Infrastructure Levy) which allowed us to buy the pergola, plants and centenary stone.![]()
We still have access to the remainder of the money which CIL have agreed to provide for two![]()
benches which will be situated on the raised area next to the pergola and more plants to![]()
make up the full £10K.![]()
![]()
Anthony Read, Head Ranger from his budget, generously covered many of the expenses that![]()
we incurred during the organisation and running of the summer picnic. He continues to help![]()
us in our endeavour to make the gardens a pleasant place to be. A big thank you to him.![]()
£100 was donated by Anthony Pope at Mini Golf thanking us for the work that we did to![]()
make the picnic such a success. Also the effort we put in to challenge the council's plan to![]()
commercialise the gardens.![]()
![]()
Also £100 from Sue Belton of the Worthing Society to thank us for the new website that I![]()
built for the Society this year.![]()
And £25 from Stewart Roberts, a local resident.![]()
Thank you to you all.![]()
![]()
There were some other minor expenses during the year - printing some posters and leaflets![]()
for the picnic and renewing our website domain name.![]()
After taking all of this into account it leaves us with a total of £189 in our bank account.![]()
We do intend to try and raise funds during the course of this coming financial year and we![]()
welcome any suggestions that you may have. Please contact us via the website or by email![]()
on friendsofdentongardens@gmail.com.![]()
If you would like to donate some money please visit our website and click the 'donate'![]()
button which is nice and easy to do![]()
A copy of our accounts will be made publicly available should anyone wish to view them.![]()
![]()
JP Rowe Treasurer
Friends of Denton Gardens![]()
Annual General Meeting![]()
Thursday 1st September, 18.00hrs Egremont Public House, Brighton Road, Worthing![]()
![]()
Welcome and Introductions - Chair, Nadine Barber![]()
NB thanked everyone for their support over the last 18 months.![]()
The group has successfully seen off the commercialisation threat to the Gardens - the original catalyst for the creation of the Friends group.![]()
The decision to then constitute (ie set up a formal committee with elected officers, a constitution, hold AGMs, etc), gives the group more gravitas and the ability to apply for funding.![]()
We now have a lovely voluntary gardening group running, which is informal and gentle, where anyone can meet, chat and exercise.![]()
![]()
Treasurer’s Report - Acting Treasurer, John-Paul Rowe - See separate report![]()
![]()
Planting Sub-Committee Report - Secretary, Louise Corcoran - See separate report![]()
![]()
Events and Link Press Officer Report - Annie Waran![]()
Reported very positive feedback from centenary picnic, overwhelming support to do it again.![]()
Minor points learnt: need generator and microphone, need quicker or 2 face painters. Ideas going forward: fancy dress, involve local businesses more eg sponsorship of Tug of War, rain contingency. All ideas welcome.![]()
![]()
What’s Ahead?![]()
The Planting Report outlined most of the planting plans, and Anthony Read, Head Ranger, WBC Parks Dept, confirmed that work to start removal of the Phormiums begins in Nov.![]()
AR thanked and congratulated the group for all they have achieved in such a short timescale.![]()
AR suggested an Easter Egg hunt as a potential future fundraiser. Supermarkets would potentially donate.![]()
AR offered water butts to any residents adjacent to the Gardens who would be willing to connect these to their downpipes where practicable. Nikki Sheeran suggested also approaching the Crabshack and Rowing Club with this suggestion.![]()
Green Flag Status - AR reported that the application would be submitted in Dec. The judges have already seen the gardens and he is confident about the outcome. Community involvement key, and award affords Gardens greater statutory protection. Conservation Area Extension - Sue Belton from the Worthing Society, who staunchly supported FoDGs campaign to protect the Gardens, updated the meeting on progress to extend the Steyne Conservation area to include Denton Gardens, as well as Beach House Grounds and the southern end of Beach House Park. She understands a heritage consultant has been appointed and discussions with the![]()
council will commence soon. SB will write an addendum to her submission as/when Green Flag Status awarded. AR will forward the Green Flag management plan to her. Shelter - issues with vandalism raised. Suggested that making it more attractive, eg. with plant troughs, would make it more popular, and greater usage would discourage vandals.![]()
Funding - suggestions floated included another CIL application, applying elsewhere eg. Heritage Lottery Fund, emphasise educational, environmental and community enhancement; explore business involvement - many local businesses are community minded - sponsor a bed? Speak to other groups - how are they funded eg. Broadfest.![]()
![]()
Amendments to Constitution![]()
None.![]()
![]()
Election of Officers![]()
Chair – Nadine Barber Nominated by Krish Waran Seconded by Virginia De Nagy Endorsed![]()
Treasurer – John-Paul Rowe Nominated by Tony Barber Seconded by Simon Ward Endorsed![]()
Secretary – Louise Corcoran Nominated by Nikki Sheeran Seconded by Nadine Barber Endorsed![]()
![]()
AOB![]()
Re-wilding - Simon Ward asked about any plans for re-wilding, following areas previously being left unmowed. AR explained that one area was left unmowed for a period due to bulb planting, and the southern bank was left during no-mow May. Future ecological enhancements would come from plans for the woodland border, as well as wildlife-friendly planting choices made elsewhere.![]()
![]()
Thanks - NB took the opportunity to extend special thanks on behalf of the Friends to AR and the Parks Team for all their support.![]()
New Seafront Protection and Enhancement Group - Krishna Waran announced he was involved in establishing a new group aiming to enhance the town’s biggest asset - the seafront - and invited FoDG as a stakeholder to become involved. Worthing Journal - AW announced that there was an opportunity to submit a 200 word update to the WJ each month. Nikki Sheeran agreed to take this on if the committee supplied the information.
I am pleased to announce that the documents relating to our recent AGM are now available to read on our website. Please click on the following link for the Minutes, Treasurer's Report and Planting Sub-Committee Report.
Committee Meetings - Friends of Denton Gardens
www.friendsofdentongardens.org
Committee Meetings 2022 Friends of Denton Gardens AGM 2022 Was held on Thursday 1st September 2022 at 6.00pm at the Egremont Public House, Brighton Road, Worthing Download the minutes and the financia...