Our Park is a hidden gem in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. The town's oldest public park, it was originally designed by renowned Victorian landscape architect Robert Marnock in 1889. Since then, it has grown, developed and flourished to become a great place to relax, play and enjoy nature.

FoGH was set up in 2011. Our key focus is to enhance the quality of life for our community; raise awareness of ecology; and encourage the local community to take an interest in the conservation of the Park. Our work takes many forms, from family events, talks, walks and gardening, to ecological projects, such as rewilding the orchard.

Our Park has several access points. Use the postcode TN1 2HU to get to the entrance in Auckland Road. For the Hilbert Road entrance, near the Oast House, use TN2 3SF. All parking for the Park is on residential streets, there is no car park.

Click here to collapse the report.

When the Friends group started in 2011, I was keen to join to support them. I joined the committee in 2013 and became Treasurer in 2017. When Carolyn Gray decided to step down as Chair last autumn, we began looking for a replacement, but it soon became clear that it would be hard to identify anyone. After some thought, I decided to put myself forward, as I've always been very much involved in the group. I'm very much aware that I've got big boots to fill! Carolyn has been involved in FoGH since the very beginning and has been a dedicated and energetic Chair for the last four years. We are glad she's decided to remain on the committee.

There have also been a number of changes to the FoGH committee: John Scholey has stepped down, as has Lynda Steers, who has moved away from the local area. We'll miss her help at events and all her gardening work with the FoGH Green Team. Richard Woodfield has been our Secretary since 2021, and his hard work has ensured that we have up-to-date policy documents and risk assessments. We'll certainly miss his knowledge of the FoGH constitution and careful recording of volunteer hours.

At the AGM two new committee members were elected: Sue Payne and Tom Saunders. Sue lives close to the Park and we are hoping to use her skills as a former art teacher. Tom has an accountancy background and has agreed to become Treasurer, so I'm currently handing the role over to him. I chaired my first committee meeting in May, with help from our special guest Pebbles the cat, who lives near the Park. We hoped he would take the minutes, but that went cat-astrophically wrong...

Last year Grosvenor & Hilbert won the 'Best Large Park (above 25 acres)' category in the South & South East in Bloom competition, which was a triumph for all concerned! Royal Horticultural Society judge Sorin Caraiman is coming to Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday 2nd July and will visit the Park in the morning. FoGH will be working with the park keeper Tony Cheeseman, the Parks Department and our volunteers to make sure everything looks as good as possible. There will be opportunities for gardening work in the Park over the summer - look for social media posts or emails and give us a hand if you can.

To report an incident to Kent Police in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park

• Emergency: dial 999
• Non-emergency: dial 101

Other contacts

• Council Parks Department: 01892 554031

To hire The Hub please contact the council to check for availability and instructions by sending an email to parksteam [at] tunbridgewells.gov.uk or by phoning 01892 554031

• Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park: chair [at] fogh.org.uk

Please note there is a defibrillator at the Hub, if needed phone 999 to get the access code and assistance when using it.

The are two ways you can get involved with the park.

Join the Friends

We are a volunteer-run group that relies on donations from events and membership fees. By signing up and joining the Friends you will help fund our work and put on community events in the park.

Follow the link and sign-up on line.

Volunteer

Alternatively or additionally you might like to volunteer to undertake tasks around the park. We regularly hold weeding and planting event and there's always litter picking.

Simply sign up to our volunteer newsletter and we will tell you when something suitable is planned.