WORTH PARK FRIENDS
© Worth Park Friends 2024

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
Our chairman, Kate Oliver, in front of Ridley’s Court; at the Victorian Picnic; first theatre performance in the Park 2009; Official opening of the Time Line Totem November 2016; “Strawbery Tea”; coach trip to Sissinghurst; exhibition at the Hawth.