The Friends’ Journey

towards obtaining Lottery Funding

Outreach • Exhibition at local venues. It premiered at the The Hawth (Crawley’s theatre), then went to the local hospice and was shown later at Crawley Museum • Digital Library Display • Newsletters • Information put on Council website • Posters displayed on Community Notice Boards and Milton Mount flats notice board • Participation in Community Day with exhibition at the local shopping parade • The Miltonian Guild (former pupils of Milton Mount College) is a member, so are some of the 'old girls' giving it a worldwide base • The Milton Mount Foundation, which provides scholarships, takes an active interest • Bournemouth Collegiate School (the school with which Milton Mount College merged) values its history and is kept updated • Research into the Montefiore Family (the original owners) In the Grounds • Clear up days in conjunction with Crawley Borough Council/Gatwick Greenspace (Conservationists partnered with Sussex Wildlife Trust) or in conjunction with 'Let's FACE it' (Council Community Project) • Catering at outdoor theatre plays with a wide audience base, in conjunction with the Hawth • Assisting with the Big Draw • Running monthly workshops in Ridley's Court with guest speakers • Providing historical walks on request, e.g. as part of Crawley Festival • Initiating monthly led Health Walks - now implemented by Walk4Life • Initiating sign posts for visitors to undertake walks on their own (we have a mile+ course) • Bulb planting with members or with school children • Social links with Crawley Croquet Club who have many visiting clubs • Participating in Britain in Bloom, providing exhibition, touring park with RHS judges to help Crawley become Champion of Champions • Participating in Crawley in Bloom (exhibition, touring the park with judges) to compete for best park in Crawley, obtained a Silver Gilt Award for the South and South East in Bloom competitions • Running a photo competition for best picture in grounds, local supermarket was our sponsor • Strawberry tea with members and guests Supporting the Successful Heritage Lottery Fund Bid Stage 2 • Members of the Heritage Lottery Fund Project Steering Group – meetings with the consultants/officers on a regular basis • Arranging for Milton Mount archives at West Sussex Record Office Chichester to be available for consultants • Assistance with exhibition boards and information at Public Consultations • Present at meeting with residents at Ridley's Court • Assistance with physical visitors count in the park • Assistance with questionnaires about the project in the park; another questionnaire was sent to the members • Present when bid was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund; met the Heritage Monitor Where we are now • Continuing to add to our thousands of volunteer hours by: • Attending monthly Steering Committee meetings with the Consultants and Council • Holding committee meetings • Keeping our members informed via our newsletters • Being present and assisting at all events that now take place in the park • Arranging coach outings to other gardens • Holding monthly talks in Ridley’s Court • Hosting study days and visits with presentations and guided walks for organisations such as the Sussex Gardens Trust and Crawley Museum • Continuing to inform the public and our members about Worth Park via our website Kate Oliver