FMPG Ten Years 2016-26
The FMPG held its first meeting on 6th February 2016.
2016 - membership 36 households. The Helen Garden - the children's playground is very outdated. All Saints Park Low awareness that it is a park. We recommend installing signs at both entrances. Italian Gardens All signs refer to Holywell. No indication that you have arrived at the Italian Gardens. Buildings in a poor state of repair.
2017 - membership 106 households. The Helen Garden We discover that the history of the triangular flowerbed was to commemorate Dolly Shepherd, the Edwardian lady parachutist and balloonist. £3,000 from the Meads devolved budget was used to plant two umbrella pines representing balloons. An information board about Dolly Shepherd and her daughter Molly was also installed. £35,000 capital bid to refurbish the children's playground area was supported by the Friends.
2018 - membership 128 households. Grounds maintenance deteriorated year on year after the merger of services between Eastbourne and Lewes councils. Eastbourne Lottery set up, which the Friends joined.
2019 - membership 150 households. Italian Gardens - impacted by severe vandalism. Tim Whelan EBC's Director of Services, agrees to a major project; including repairing and cleaning the structures, and some cutting down of trees and undergrowth. All Saints Park. A small Physic Garden planted as an homage to All Saints Hospital.
2020 - no AGM - Covid
2021 - membership 161 households. Italian Gardens. We launch our campaign " Countdown to 2022" its centenary. The Wish Tower Memorial Peace Garden, known as the Peace Garden is confirmed as our fourth park.
2022 - membership 184 households. Italian Gardens. Stone spheres are reinstated for its centenary. 100th birthday party held at the gardens. Information board about the gardens is installed.
2023-24 - membership 197 households. Problems all over Eastbourne with Idverde the grounds maintenance contractor. FMPG gardening volunteers begin working in our parks.
Italian Gardens. Climbing roses donated by Sussex Gardens Trust planted near the structures. All Saints Park. Six of the original eight Sorbus Intermedia Brouwers trees in the Mediterranean Circle area die. We start pressuring EBC to remove them. Peace Garden at the Wish Tower from June 2023. Rescue of the severely overgrown and neglected garden starts.
2025 - membership 176 households. Grounds Maintenance Contract. EBC go out to tender for new contract to start 1st April 2026. Idverde are doing the bare minimum. Friends Together formed. Gardening groups across Eastbourne meet regularly to bring to the attention of EBC all their problems re Idverde. Italian Gardens. Installation of four panels by local artists, the Ring Twins telling the story of the gardens. All Saints Park. The dead trees are finally cut down and removed. Peace Garden. New information board installed, replacing the one damaged by the sun's rays.
2026 - membership 197 households. Glendale Countryside Ltd are awarded the grounds maintenance contract for Eastbourne and Lewes wef 1st April 2026.
