The things we do...
Through all of our activities we try to give back to the park the joy that it gives us.
Throughout the year we have a number of talks on the history, flora and fauna of the park. Past events have included Nick Butterworth of 'Percy the Park Keeper' fame reading from his latest children's book, and a 'Gardener's Question Time' where members were able to meet the park gardeners and learn more about their work and plans. Seasonal walks around the park with the park gardeners and rangers have also featured.
For details of our current programme see our Newsletter section.
FoCP have a number of ways in which you can contribute to maintaining the park as the lovely place it is. Our gardening volunteers meet regularly during the summer. The Food and Drink Festival and Christmas Wreath sale are annual events that rely on the support of members to be successful.
Volunteering is an opportunity to enjoy the park, working in company with other members to do something useful, and to have the satisfaction of seeing that your efforts have been worthwhile. Come and join us. Go to What's On or our Newsletter to find out when and where.
We have been successful in applying on behalf of the Borough Council for grants for cleaning the War Memorial. With the assistance of the CBC obtained an £8000 grant from Essex County Council towards the upgrade of the Helter Skelter and moving it to its new position.
We have donated £500 to the Friends of the Roman Wall towards an interpretation board at Duncan’s Gate. We funded two trees (one to mark 10 years of FoCP), and provided two new memorial benches: the first in remembrance of service personnel killed in action in Afghanistan; the most recent in remembrance of FoCP member and friend, Christopher Howard, dendrologist and author of the Castle Park Tree Trail.
We run stalls at park events, selling cakes and plants, and for many years have made Christmas wreaths to sell in the park each December.
We produce a newsletter with reports and updates from around the seasons in the park, plus details of key dates and developments.
The newsletters also include observations from the Rangers on Castle Park matters.