Leisure and Culture >> Parks & Open Spaces
Pocket Park Project - Better Braybrooke
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About Us
- Membership is open to anyone living in Braybrooke Ward
- Our aim is to improve the environmental quality of our local area and to maintain and develop the Pocket Park at Smith's Yard, which was opened in September 2003
- First met in 1996 as a group of residents and achieved Charity status in 1998
- We hold regular general meetings with our ward councillors and guest speakers at Mount Pleasant Court, Manor Road
- We liaised successfully with Southern Water, Hastings Borough Council and local residents to ensure that the stormwater tunnel spoil was removed by rail, not road
- Members attend various meetings involving the regeneration of Hastings and St. Leonards We have also achieved other local environmental improvements including lighting for Cromer Walk, the clearing of a twitten and the provision of a dog waste bin
- Members are closely involved with the restoration of Alexandra Park and the development of the Hastings Greenway
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Achievements at the Pocket
- Obtained planning permission and public liability insurance
- Had the land cleared of debris and dangerous structures and addressed issues relating to partly contaminated land - it was formerly an industrial site
- Acquired all of the land by either lease or purchase bringing it under the control of Better Braybrooke
- Two successful Biffaward applications, 2000 and 2002
- Raised initial matched funding from partners including Hastings Borough Council
- Had support from the Sussex Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor
- Involved local communities and businesses
- Resurfaced the pathway to access the pocket
- Monitored building works and fulfilled criteria for receipt of funding
- Environment Agency provided administrative advice and funding for flowerbeds, tools and equipment
- Completed building work on the Pocket in summer 2003 and organised a grand opening on September 5, 2003 attended by the MP, deputy leader of the Council, deputy mayor and other councillors, council officers, sponsors and many others involved in the project
- First planting of the Pocket in October 2003 with transplanted mature plants from Alexandra Park and new plants supplied by Hastings Borough Council. Planting carried out by Better Braybrooke members, BTCV, local residents and children
- Open to the public during daylight hours with Better Braybrooke nominated members being key holders
- Closing at dusk to reduce fear of crime, vandalism, fly tipping and graffiti
- Fund raising activities and seasonal events with other local groups, charities and churches
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Contact Details
Caroline Kempster, Chair of Better Braybrooke
4 Baldslow Road,
Hastings TN34 2EZ
East Sussex.
Telephone: (01424) 432952
New Members are welcome. The subscription is £3 per year.
Please contact the Chair or contact the Braybrooke Councillors.
Better Braybrooke (Environmental Watch Scheme) registered Charity Number 1070462
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This page last updated: 21/01/2004
