Category: Open Spaces

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Open Spaces

Celebrating World Wildlife Day

This World Wildlife Day (3 March) we thought we’d take the opportunity to celebrate the wildlife that thrives in our open spaces.

Last year, the judges of the South and South East in Bloom Awards honoured Stangrove Park and pond with a Gold accolade. The pond itself is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including newts, ducks, ducklings, and many thriving insect species.

To maintain this healthy ecosystem, we are currently developing a plan to dredge and clean the pond while also cutting back some trees to improve light and water quality.

We also remain committed to supporting pollinating insects by creating new wildflower areas and adding more planters and flower beds. We hope you’ll agree that as well as helping wildlife flourish, these efforts make our parks even more enjoyable for everyone.

We can all do our part to keep these spaces thriving:

  • Respect nature – observe wildlife from a distance
  • Leave no trace – take litter home with you
  • Be responsible – clean up after your dog
Stangrove Pare pond with trees and World Wildlife Day logo
Photo by Councilor Stuart McGregor
Categories
Environment Open Spaces

Making the switch: We are going green with HVO fuel this spring

Grounds staff man sat on top of Kubota machine cutting grass

As part of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the Council is making a significant step toward sustainability!

This spring we’ll be switching over our tractor and Kubota, that are used by our Grounds Team, to use HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel.

HVO is a cleaner, renewable alternative to traditional diesel, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining excellent performance and reliability.

This switch is just one of the many ways we’re working to create a greener, more sustainable future for our community.

Categories
Open Spaces

Storm clear-up

Stangrove Park

Our Grounds Team have been working hard tackling the aftermath of last year’s storms, clearing fallen and damaged trees to keep our community safe and beautiful.

To make the most of this effort, the Council hired in a chipper, and our team received specialised training to operate it. Now, they’re putting their new skills to excellent use, turning storm debris into sustainable wood chippings!

But that’s not all – we’ll repurpose these chippings in future to enhance our community spaces, using them for pathways, flowerbeds, and more. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also supports the Council’s commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness.

A big thank you to our hardworking Grounds Team for their efforts and innovation.

Categories
Open Spaces

Funding boost kicks off improvements for football pitches

Football pitch with goal post
Football pitch at Mowshurst

Following last year’s praise for the quality of our football pitches at the Recreation Ground, we’re thrilled to now have been awarded £25,600 (distributed over six-years) from the Football Foundation to support the maintenance and improvement of our two football pitches at Mowshurst, home of Nomads Football Club.

Our Grounds Team, along with our apprentice, are eager to put the Football Foundation’s recommendations into action. This will include work such as seeding, fertiliser application, twice-yearly decompaction, goal mouth repairs and online staff training.

We hope that the improvements will be well-received by the community

Categories
Community Safety Open Spaces

New life buoys installed at Stangrove Park to enhance safety

We have installed two brand-new life buoys at Stangrove Park to keep everyone safe by the water. Following a recent health and safety audit, our Open Spaces Committee approved an £800 investment to ensure aid is available in case of an emergency.

Next time you’re out enjoying the park, feel free to take a look and know that your safety is our priority.

Two new life bouys
Bouys either side of the pond

Categories
Open Spaces

Edenbridge shines at South & South East in Bloom 2024 Awards!

Community events at Stangrove Park
Stangrove Park playground
Wildlife areas

Edenbridge Town Council has once again demonstrated its dedication to creating and maintaining beautiful open spaces, bringing home a trio of prestigious awards from the 2024 South & South East in Bloom ceremony.

  • Gold Award for Stangrove Park: This year, we’re thrilled to announce that Stangrove Park has surpassed last year’s success! After receiving a Silver Gilt award in 2023, the park has gone one step further and earned the coveted Gold Award for 2024. The judges were impressed by the meticulously maintained grounds, signage and accessibility, and overall community involvement.
  • Silver Gilt Award for Edenbridge Churchyard and Cemetery: Edenbridge Cemetery has once again made us proud, achieving a Silver Gilt Award for its serene beauty and careful upkeep. The peaceful atmosphere and well-maintained greenery create a perfect space for reflection and remembrance.
  • Silver Award for Millennium Wood: Millennium Wood continues to be recognised for its natural beauty and biodiversity, receiving a Silver Award this year. The efforts to maintain this wonderful woodland as a haven for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for visitors are greatly appreciated.

These awards celebrate the ongoing efforts to enhance and preserve Edenbridge’s green spaces. Special thanks go out to all the volunteers, local groups, and council staff – especially our Grounds Team – who have worked tirelessly to make these areas a source of pride and joy.

Edenbridge Cemetery
Millennium Wood
Categories
Community News Open Spaces

Edenbridge Gardens in Bloom: celebrating community, creativity, and green thumb glory!

What an incredible success this year’s Edenbridge Gardens in Bloom competition has been!

A huge thank you to all the residents, community groups, and schools who put their green thumbs to work, showcasing such amazing talent and dedication.

We’re also grateful to our judges, local organisations, and businesses who generously sponsored an array of fantastic prizes – from family days out and afternoon teas to cinema tickets and memberships. Your support and enthusiasm have helped us come together as a community, fostering pride and a sense of togetherness.

The awards were presented on 2 September during a celebratory evening, with special guest Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle, handing out the honours. Neil leads a varied team of gardeners, ranging from trainees to experienced professionals, who work hard to maintain Hever Castle’s award-winning gardens.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll create next year. Thanks for making Edenbridge bloom!

Scroll down to see some photos from the presentation evening and the full list of winners.

Edenbridge Beavers
Unique space for a display
Hever School
Basket winner
Manor Care Home
Unique space runner-up

And the 2024 winners are:

ALLOTMENT
Winner: Min Reynolds
Runner-up: Michael and Rosemary Hill

Thank you to prize sponsors: Haskins and Falconhurst Estate

FRONT/BACK GARDEN

Winner: Peter and Penny Brook
Runner-up: Terri Scanes
Runner-up: Manor Care Home

Thank you to prize sponsors: Penshurst Place, Pashleigh Manor Gardens and Hever Castle

YOUTH/SCHOOL GROUPS

Joint Winners: Marsh Green School; Hever School

Thank you to prize sponsors: Godstone Farm, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Fishers Farm Park and Buster Ancient Farm

YOUNG GARDENER

Winner: Edenbridge Beavers

Thank you to prize sponsors: Canterbury Cathedral, Scott Cinemas and Standen House

WINDOW BOXES/HANGING BASKETS

Winner: Sarah Mirianashvili
Runner-up: Neil Batchelor
Runner-up: Pat Raynor

Thank you to prize sponsors: Chartwell, Leonardslee Lake and Gardens, and Chiddingstone Castle

STRANGEST/UNIQUE SPACE TO CREATE A COLOURFUL DISPLAY

Winner: Sue Butcher
Runner-up: Judy Bucknall

Thank you to prize sponsors: Wakehurst and Nymans

Categories
Community News Open Spaces

Celebrate Edenbridge’s top gardens at awards night

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Edenbridge Gardens in Bloom competition! The judges have been truly impressed by the variety and creativity of all the entries, from colourful flower beds to innovative green spaces, and will be announcing all the winners and runner ups at an awards evening in just under two weeks.

Monday 2 September 4 – 6 pm | Rickards Hall, Edenbridge

Although this is a by-invitation event, we do have a limited number of extra (free) tickets, available on a first-come-first-served basis. It might be just the inspiration you need to get out more in the garden yourself! An opportunity also to meet others in the community with a shared passion and interest.

The awards will be presented by Edenbridge Town Council Chairman Cllr Bob Todd, and Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle.

If you would like to attend, please email information@edenbridgetowncouncil.gov.uk
You can also call us on 01732 865368 or pop into the office Monday to Thursday 9 am to 3.30 pm.

Categories
Community News Open Spaces Young People

Recreation Ground Pavilion enhanced with new windows and shutters

The Pavilion at the Recreation Ground, Lingfield Road, which is owned by the Town Council and home to Edenbridge Rugby Football Club, has had new windows, double window doors and electronic shutters fitted.

These enhancements have been funded by a CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) grant. This is money the Town Council receives from developers to help fund certain infrastructure, facilities and services for the local community.

With Edenbridge’s rich history of sporting success, we hope these improvements will inspire future generations to get involved and stay active.

Thank you to specialist industrial door company Rite Doors for carrying out the works.

Categories
Community News Events Open Spaces Young People

Free summer family fun days are back!

Our popular and FREE family fun days are returning to Stangrove Park this August with lots of activities for everyone.

2 pm to 5 pm on Thursdays 1, 8, 15 and 22 August 2024

There will be crafts, games, sports, and more in a friendly and safe environment.

There’s no need to book, simply turn up and have fun. However, children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Activities are provided for children under the age of 12, but they may not be suitable for very young children.

Three of the fun days are funded by Edenbridge Town Council, while the other by Sevenoaks District Council. They are run by Play Place.

Also this year, Millwall Community Trust has teamed up with Kellogg’s to offer free football camps to girls and boys aged 5 to 12 at certain fun days such as Four Elms. Places are limited to 40 people per session and must be booked in advance. To claim a free place, you’ll need a promotional code which can be found on the boxes of most Kellogg’s products.

View all local family fun days & football camps across sevenoaks district
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