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.
Petition to Save our Shelter ( Different to the first petition) at the southern end of Denton Gardens. There has been an, 'expression of interest,' for converting the shelter to a cafe as part of the proposal, for an Adventure Golf Site. Our petition is fully endorsed by The Worthing Society. ![]()
![]()
(We do not need donations![]()
The petition automatically asks for one, just ignore. Again for some reason it is in Spanish but nevertheless pretty straightforward)
Our first Denton Gardens Task Day 🌱has been organised for 10 am Saturday October 30th. ![]()
![]()
Head Ranger Anthony Read will be there to help and advise. ![]()
![]()
Anthony writes:![]()
![]()
‘I can provide all tools required for litter picking and light grounds maintenance along with first aid, risk assessments, and any PPE needed. We cannot provide safety boots but ask that anyone attending wears sensible shoes /boots for the weather and task. I will stat with the group for the entire task day so any queries on the day can be answereda nd advice given. Prior to the day I will liaise with the grounds maintenance team leader for the gardens to make sure any work carried out by the group is in line with any maintenance requirements.’![]()
![]()
Everyone is welcome. Please arrive at 9.45 for a few health and safety pointers as it’s our first Task Day. ![]()
Looking forward to seeing everyone ![]()
![]()
Nadine
Just heard via Dan Humphreys Leader of Worthing BC that one of the parties interested in developing an adventure golf course in Denton gardens missed the original end May deadline to submit expressions of interest . ![]()
It appears that council officers extended the deadline especially to accommodate them . They are proposing a cafe in the locally listed historic beach shelter together with an enlarged adventure golf course covering most of the southern half of the gardens. ![]()
This unacceptable proposal is presently being studied by Council officials and a decision may be imminent .![]()
We urgently need to remind our Councillors that the 350 members of Friends of Denton gardens , and the 1200 people who signed the petition, are opposed to any scheme that fails to retain the historic character of the 100 year old garden , or which plans to change the public use of the iconic beach shelter.![]()
Please Write to your Councillor if you agree !
gardens.is
Please can this be shared on here I know it's not Denton gardens but it's a space in Littlehampton that we may lose. Please can you sign and share. ![]()
![]()
Hi all,![]()
A response I received today ![]()
Thank you very much for your email. You are correct in that earlier this year the council accepted some expressions of interest from potential operators to redevelop the mini golf course at Denton Gardens and that this may (or may not) include a partial conversion of the seafront shelter.![]()
![]()
I will view the outcome with an open mind. I will do so while seeking to retain the historic character of the gardens but I will not commit at this point to ruling out any changes to the seafront shelter.![]()
![]()
Yours sincerely,![]()
![]()
Councillor Daniel Humphreys![]()
![]()
Worthing Borough Council![]()
Councillor for Offington Ward
Thanks, to people like Paul Twister, who have written to Dan Humphreys (leader of our council) or any other WBC councillor. ![]()
The more people who write, the better. As you can see from his response the shelter is at risk of being converted, though the decision is not made yet. So we need to make some noise!! ![]()
daniel.humphreys@worthing.gov.uk
An article that appeared in The Worthing Herald last week. A response by our group has been submitted to The Worthing Herald today.
‘Case to protect tranquil Worthing gardens has been accepted’
www.worthingherald.co.uk
The case to protect the character of a ‘tranquil and calm’ Worthing gardens has been accepted by the borough council, according to Labour members.
Friends of Denton Gardens committee recently met with Cllr Humphreys to hear his response to the petition and receive an update on possible future plans for Denton gardens.![]()
It was a constructive meeting and the following is an agreed summary of some the key points emerging :![]()
![]()
The Petition:![]()
![]()
Cllr Humphreys took on board the fact that nearly 1200 people supported the petition –even though some signatories were “disqualified “ due to incomplete addresses.![]()
He said he could not accept the word “ preserve” in the petition, and after discussion it was agreed to substitute the phrase “ protect and enhance in a way that retains the character of the gardens.”![]()
On this modified basis , he accepted the petition.![]()
![]()
Status of the “Expressions of Interest “![]()
![]()
“Two expressions of interest” remain under consideration![]()
The present mini-golf operator, and a second proposal for an enlarged adventure golf course with an associated café in the ( converted) beach shelter.![]()
In response to questions , we learned that the new proposal could result in more secure fences and low level lighting.![]()
The “expressions of interest” process was now closed and Officers were evaluating the different proposals. He expected a decision within two months.![]()
![]()
Concerns about the environmental impact![]()
![]()
Concerns were expressed by our committee about, water usage, security fences, artificial lighting, biodiversity and increased surface water in the event of more hard landscaping.![]()
We received the following reassurances :![]()
-There would have to be an internal environmental impact assessment in the event of a change ;![]()
-there was no intention to increase the surface water risk to adjoining houses;![]()
-in the event of a new operator folding there would be a requirement that the area would be restored to it’s original condition.![]()
![]()
Restrictions resulting from The Deed of Gift and Covenant![]()
![]()
We received reassurances that any legal constraints resulting from the deed of gift and covenant on the use of the gardens , would be honoured in practice and in spirit.![]()
Cllr Humphreys said it would not be acceptable for officials to “ find ways round the conditions” –if indeed this had ever been suggested. ![]()
![]()
Future Consultation and the Planning Process![]()
![]()
Cllr Humphreys would request the Head of Planning to set out the process that would apply to any new proposal involving an enlarged adventure golf course and café in the beach shelter. This would be made available to the FoDG.![]()
The idea from Sir Peter Bottomley for a round table forum of interested parties to identify improvement ideas that preserve the character of the gardens was not ruled out.
I’ve been recording unusual insects and birds in Denton gardens an important area for bees,insects and butterflies.. Here a peacock butterfly (aglias io) found in Europe and as far as Asia and Japan.. Unfortunately due to deforestation and environmental destruction these beautiful butterflies are becoming quite rare..!
Good eevening all. So glad i found this group. I have walked through this park most days morning and evening. I live on marine parade. Please let me know if there is anything i can do to help. Im disgusted by the plans for this park. If it was a gift for the people of Worthing then why does it need to be a drinking hole which it will end up being and believe me I know what thats like. I live above one and its hell on earth most nights. Worthing has become so tacky over the last 5 years and id hate to see one of our only havens from the riff raff made the same.
We have heard on the grapevine that the council are ‘preferring’ a ‘Worthing-themed’ proposal for the mini golf course. This means an enlarged golfing area (possibly / probably fenced off) and a cafe in the beach shelter. ![]()
![]()
The good news is that an adventure golf with dinosaurs pirates etc, is no longer on the table but until we know exactly what is proposed, it’s difficult to make an informed judgement. ![]()
![]()
The major obvious objections are going to be the conversion of the period piece beach shelter to a cafe, which will be of huge concern to a number of people, including the Worthing Society; the increased hard surfacing of the south lawn, raising environmental concerns, potential flooding and bio diversity issues; and the losd of valuable free green open space for the public, especially if there is additional restricted access.![]()
![]()
Equally of concern is that over 1200 people signed a petition to object to the over commercialisation of Denton Gardens and to respect the wishes of Alderman Denton in his original gift to the people of Worthing.
We had a very successful public meeting last Saturday to officially constitute our Friends of Denton Gardens group and vote in our official committee! This means we can start working with the Rangers in the Gardens and applying for grants, and we'll have a louder voice regarding its future. Click on the following link to read the full minutes on our website.![]()
Committee Meetings | Friends of Denton Gardens
www.friendsofdentongardens.org
Friends of Denton Gardens Public Meeting Saturday 18th September, 11.00hrs – Egremont Public House, Brighton Road, Worthing Click here to view (PDF)
I'm very pleased to announce that we have a website. **https://www.friendsofdentongardens.org**
Home Page - Friends of Denton Gardens
www.friendsofdentongardens.org
Denton Gardens is a public ornamental gardens located just to the east of the Steyne Gardens Conservation Area in central Worthing.
Yesterday Friends of Denton Gardens was formally constituted at a well-attended meeting in the Egremont, courtesy of the ever-generous and lovely Greg Grundy. The officers are Jools Owen, treasurer; Louise Corcoran, secretary; and me, Nadine Barber, chair. ![]()
![]()
The meeting was assisted and welcomed by Head Ranger Anthony Read, and thanks were extended to him and our terrific retiring interim chair, Krishna Waran, who’s efforts have got us this far. ![]()
![]()
Minutes of the meeting will be posted here and sent by email to those who attended. ![]()
![]()
Our next steps are to continue, as a priority, to monitor the actions of the council over the controversial proposals for the south lawn and beach shelter; to apply for funding to replace and replant the rotten and overgrown pergola; to work with the parks dept to improve and enhance the overall planting; and to devise and plan ways to mark the centenary next year of Alderman Denton’s gift to the people of Worthing. ![]()
![]()
We shall be looking for inspiration and ideas and ultimately, probably, some hands-on involvement. So watch this space and get in touch. ![]()
![]()
Keep an eye out too for Friends of Denton Gardens website, expertly and brilliantly designed by JP Rowe, which will shortly be going live.
A reminder of the public meeting on Saturday 18 th September at the rear area of the Egremont. The main purpose is to constitute Friends of Denton gardens as an official community group and elect officers.![]()
We have about 90 minutes for the meeting so will need to be efficient in tackling the following agenda .![]()
1) Update on current situation:![]()
a) response to the petition and recent meeting with Councillor Humphreys - Krish![]()
b) Application for CIL funds -Louise![]()
c) Planned garden improvements- Anthony R![]()
![]()
2)Discussion and adoption of the constitution.![]()
3) Election of Officers/Committee![]()
4) AOB![]()
We hope to see many of our friends there on Saturday.
Here’s the notice we are required to post about the public meeting on Saturday 18 th September. ![]()
As well as electing the new committee , a proposed constitution for the group will be discussed and adopted. Please follow the link below to see the text of the proposed constitution.![]()
It would be helpful if you could indicate if you are planning to attend . ![]()
Many Thanks , hope to see as many of our Friends as possible !![]()
![]()
docs.google.com/document/d/1g7TvlqrQ9nKz93sJAUHm6knCoqKWKTwgDSxykZUUsC8/edit?usp=drivesdk
IS THERE A LAWYER IN THE HOUSE? ![]()
We are anxious to get a legal opinion on the covenant/ deed of gift that was put in place when Alderman Denton gifted the gardens to the people of Worthing . Certain restrictions on future use were laid down and it would very helpful to have a legal opinion on their present validity .![]()
Anyone out there know a lawyer who would be willing to help ? ![]()
Thanks !
Exciting News – It has been brought to our attention that, if we are quick, we still have time to put a bid in for funds for Denton Gardens from the 2021/22 Worthing CIL Neighbourhood Fund programme – a pot of money accrued from payments made by local developers which can be made available to community groups for local projects. Next year marks the centenary of Alderman Denton gifting the Gardens to the people of Worthing, so we plan to centre our bid around this theme; and the pergola, which has always been a feature of the Gardens, is in serious need of renewal, the footings of the posts being rotten. So having discussed this with the Parks Department, the Worthing Society and our local Councillor, we are proposing to put in a bid to renovate the Pergola area and install a commemorative stone at its entrance. The deadline is really tight which is why we haven’t had a chance to carry out a wider consultation. However, we’d love to hear your thoughts, and there will of course be other opportunities to apply for grants and fundraise in the future for other projects.
