Book in the Park!

Holiday Activities

Fun for the whole family!

Children, parents and grandparents all welcome

  • Book trails
  • Crafts
  • Book swap table
  • Storytelling tent

Worth Park, Crawley
Milton Mount Avenue, Crawley RH10 3DH

Wednesday 24th October from 10.00am to 12.00pm

no need to book, just turn up on the day!

website www.lpklearning.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/crawleybookclub

Facebook www.facebook.com/lpklearning

Worth Park Woodland Day

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Whats On – 15th October 2017

Dear resident,

The star attraction of Worth Park at this time of year is our wonderful trees, which are now starting to glow in their new autumn colours and shed their lovely crunchy leaves.

If you haven’t been along to the park for a while why not come along on the 26th October, and enjoy them on our final ‘health walk’ for the year. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to book – just show up at the park entrance at 10.30am. Tea and coffee is served afterwards in our visitor centre. Nuffield Health have promised to show up and reward participants with a free one-day gym pass which is definitely an added incentive!

Our main event for this month is our annual woodland day, which this year will include woodland storytelling, spring bulb planting, a guided tree walk, woodland art, measuring challenges, a tree trail, wildlife spotter sheets and homemade soup. Everything is free apart from a small charge for refreshments, and no need to book. A poster is attached.

The lovely image on the poster is by local resident Emma Stratton-Twine and was recently posted on our facebook page – thank you Emma. It’s always a huge pleasure to see photos taken by residents who perfectly capture a beautiful moment at the park and everyone is welcome to post on our page. Do feel free to add any images you feel other residents would enjoy – the link is below.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused by our contractors being on site at the moment – we are doing investigations into our dam at the lake as well as making some welcome path improvements. The works should be over in a few days.

Finally I hate to mention C—–m-s but it’s on its way so let’s enjoy it! Christmas in the Trees on Sunday 17th December – definitely a date for the diary.

Thank you as always for your support for Worth Park.

Best wishes

Edwina

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Worth Park Drone Footage

Fantastic Worth Park Drone footage

Worth Park filmed using a Dji Phantom 3 Professional on 21/07/17 by YouTube user Tuffjam351.

Find more information about Worth Park here


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Whats on at Worth Park

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Whats On – 3rd September 2017

Dear Resident,

If you love wildlife there are two events you won’t want to miss coming up this month, starting with Bats Night at Worth Park on Monday 4th September. Come along to a fascinating talk by expert Jenny Clarke from Sussex Bat Rescue, who will be bringing along some of the bats she cares for so we can see them up close. Then join expert Kevin Lerwill from Sussex Wildlife Trust for a night walk around the park looking out for different species of bat. Talk 6.00pm at Ridleys Court, booking essential, free but a donation to Sussex Bat Rescue would be appreciated. Walk 7.30pm, no booking needed, free, meet at the park entrance.

Then at the end of the month – Ok actually on Sunday 1st October, we have our ever popular annual Fungi Foray led by Mr Fungi himself, Nick Aplin, chair of Sussex Fungi Group. After the walk, come along to Milton Mount Community Centre for a coffee and chat. Bring any fungi you have for expert identification and even have a look at fungi through a microscope! Free, no need to book. 10 – 1.30pm, meet outside Ridleys Court. Microscopy from approx. 12-1.30pm. Why not bring a picnic lunch?

Fancy getting a bit fitter but not sure where to start? Enjoy gardening or think you might like to give it a go? Then come along to the Worth Park Workout. Let our qualified fitness instructor help you through some gentle exercises in the historic surroundings of Worth Park, then help our Head Gardener tidy up our woodland area and plant bulbs for next spring. Tuesdays 10.30-12 19th September – 24th October. Free but booking essential – contact Jackie Thatcher on phone 01293 585352 or email email wellbeing@crawley.gov.uk

Interested in art ? Come along to Ridleys Court and have a look at Worth Park Past, an exhibition of paintings created by Crawley Art Society inspired by old photographs and maps of Worth Park. Trail sheets for families to follow around the park and an exhibition of historic archives will also be on display. Open Monday to Friday from September 10.30am-2.30pm.

Our final popular Worth Park Wanders for this year will explore Worth Park in one of its most beautiful seasons. Our 14th September walk will focus on Pulham and Son, the master Victorian stonesmiths who designed and created Worth Park. For a longer, faster health walk taking in the beauties of Grattons Park and beyond, come along on the 28th September. All walks start at Ridleys Court at 10.30, finishing back there with well-earned coffee and biscuits. Free, no booking needed.

I am away on leave and/or out of the office from 15th September until the 4th October so if you have any urgent enquiries please get in touch with our Head Gardener Sam Worsey on email sam.worsey@crawley.gov.uk. The next History Group meeting will be on Tuesday September 5th from 2 – 4pm when we will be looking at the display cabinets and making a start on organising the archive properly – my apologies for the short notice which is due to this unexpected decision to go on holiday! However I hope you’ll be able to make some of these September events and look forward to seeing you soon at Worth Park.

Best wishes

Thank you as always for your support for Worth Park.

Edwina Livesey

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Crawley Observer – Wildlife Disaster

Scores of ducks and geese killed in wildlife disaster at town beauty spot
2nd August 2017 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Sarah Page
email sarah.page@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

More than 50 ducks and geese have been killed at a Crawley beauty spot.

Desperate attempts to save the birds were made by rescuers at Worth Park Lake, but scores have perished. Others have been taken to a swan sanctuary at Shepperton.

John Potts of the Copthorne-based Swans and friends Bird Rescue said he feared the birds had been killed by botulinum toxins in silt in the lake’s water.

He and his wife Linda have been visiting the lake twice daily for the past 10 days after first being alerted to the disaster.

“We have just been removing body, after body, after body said John. “It’s been very stressful, obviously for the birds, but also for us. It has really taken its toll.” He was first alerted to’ the looming tragedy when a woman spotted a sickly coot. “Unfortunately, it had died when we got there.

We picked up two mallards at the same time and brought them back here and, luckily they survived.

“But since then we have been down there every day, checking on the birds and just removing dead bodies. We’ve removed in excess of 50 birds. It’s been very sad.”

He said he thought that there were now only a handful of ducks left at the lake and he called on Crawley Borough Council to de-silt the lake to avoid a similar disaster in future.

“It’s a natural thing when the water temperature rises, bacteria send out toxins which the ducks, especially, pick up.” Warning notices about green algae have been put up around the lake by the council.

Crawley MP Henry Smith said he was “deeply concerned” about the birds’ deaths and called on the council for an explanation of how it had been allowed to happen.

A council spokesman said: “Due to the recent hot weather and shallowness of Worth Park Lake, bacteria that can cause harm to animals and humans have grown in unusual numbers but this should now be reducing due to the change in weather conditions. Rainfall over the past few days will have also have helped to dilute the amount of bacteria in the water.

“We have put signage up around the lake to advise visitors not to allow children to play in the water and to prevent pets from drinking or entering the water at present.”

Worth Park – Upcoming Events

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Victorian Picnic – 16th July 2017

Dear Resident,

First of all, attached is a revised poster for our Victorian Picnic on July 16th , this time featuring the timetable for the Worth Park Bus which some of you may like to have a look at. Much more fun than the car and definitely worth a go!

As well as the Victorian Picnic there’s lots of other things happening this summer at Worth Park. And it looks lovelier than ever thanks to the huge efforts of our gardening team and gardening volunteers. If you’d like to join this friendly group the Worth Park Gardening Club meets every Wednesday from 10.00am-12pm. Just turn up at Ridleys Court or find us in the park – all tools are provided and it would be lovely to see you.

You may also have noticed some considerably younger residents clustered around the formal gardens as well on Wednesday mornings.

These pre-school toddlers and their parents and carers are enjoying Worth Park Wednesdays Extra, a programme of family learning activities aimed at helping adults and their children in a very gentle way with the things they need to know at school, including maths, science and literacy. Think skeletons made from sticks and butter made from the milk from our ‘cows’ spread on scones.

The theme next week on July 12th will be trees, and the week after will be Alice in Wonderland. All parents, grandparents and carers are welcome, with or without their children and the activities are free. If you’d like to know more please contact email Lucy Bear.

Crawley Croquet Club were also out in force this morning playing host to the 50+ Club. New members or anyone fancying having a go at this fun game of strategy are always welcome and it’s a beautiful place to keep fit. Contact email Anne Jenkinson for more details or just turn up on days members are playing.

Many people volunteering in the park are also members of Worth Park Friends and this friendly group meets the second Tuesday of every month at Ridleys from 2-4pm. On Tuesday 11th July the theme is Lewes Bonfire, which should be a fascinating talk. Just turn up or contact email worthpfriends@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

Last month the Worth Park History Group enjoyed a fascinating visit to Crawley Library and Crawley Town Hall, and managed to uncover some new photos about Worth Park! On July 18th we are visiting WSCC record office in Chichester to have a look at their maps, photos and plans connected to Worth Park and to find out about archiving. All are warmly welcome but booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please get in touch with me if you’d like to go.

Worth Park Costume Group have almost completed their collection of children’s costumes – get ready for the grand unveiling at the Victorian Picnic on July 16th! If you’d like to get involved all are welcome and the group meets most Thursdays – please contact email Eileen Hill for more information.

Also on Thursdays we have our regular very successful programme of Worth Park Wanders. The walks on the second Thursdays of the month are gentler, all with an historical theme, whilst the walks on the fourth Thursday are longer and faster. They all start at 10.30am from Ridleys Court and all involve coffee and biscuits afterwards! The walk on the 13th celebrates flower gardens, with the longer walk on the 27th.

With the school summer holidays starting there will be fun for all the family over at Worth Park. More in the next email!

Thank you as always for your support for Worth Park.

Best wishes

Edwina Livesey

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Worth Park – Victorian Picnic

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Victorian Picnic – 16th July 2017

Dear Resident,

Summer is here and it’s Victorian Picnic time again! This year the event will be on Sunday 16th July from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

  • Punch and Judy show
  • Victorian swing boats and roundabout
  • Delicious home-made cream teas
  • Pimms cocktails and traditional home-made lemonade
  • Make puppets and flower bouquets
  • Brass band and choirs
  • Displays and exhibitions
  • Flower show – see the Victorian urns in bloom

All free with a small charge for refreshments and Victorian rides.

So why not pack up a hamper, gather friends and family together and come along. You’ll be pleased as Punch you did!

For further information please see our website website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark, like our Facebook page Facebook worthparkcrawley or call phone 07826 917846.

Please get back to me if you would like any further information – my contact details are below. We always need volunteers so please also get in touch if you are interested in helping with the event.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Best wishes

Edwina Livesey

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Worth Park – Worth Park Events

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Whats On – 28th May 2017

Dear Resident,

Dig out those old bell bottoms, slap on the salad cream, top up the Tupperware and kick off the sling-backs. It’s time for the Worth Park Vintage Picnic, a celebration of all things 20th century on the 70th birthday of Crawley New Town.

  • Professional dance display with Swingdance UK
  • Learn to dance and join in!
  • Vintage photo booth
  • Lemonade served from a genuine 1954 bus by Crawley Youth Service
  • Vintage craft makes – create a floral picnic centrepiece and a photo frame
  • Baking competition – create a cake to celebrate 70 years of Crawley New Town
  • Gardening workshops
  • 20th century pop music sung by three Crawley choirs
  • Poetry trail – part of Crawley WordFest
  • Croquet and vintage games to play
  • Vintage artefact handling and photo display with Crawley Museum

All free – no need to book.

Delicious home-made cakes, teas, Pimms cocktails and home-made lemonade will be for sale.

Some 70th birthday cakes will be sold in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice.

Why not dress up as your favourite decade? Prizes for the best dressed! Elvis has not yet left the building…

If you’d like to be involved in the baking competition or the planting workshops then please get in touch for more information. Further details to follow.

I very much look forward to seeing you at Worth Park on Sunday May 28th.

Best wishes

Edwina Livesey

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Worth Park – Worth Park Events

A message from Edwina Livesey

Worth Park Garden – Whats On – 11th May 2017

Dear Resident,

This month got off to an excellent start on Sunday at our Dawn Chorus Walk. Not only did we have a record turnout of walkers on a beautiful morning but we have a new species in Worth Park! A firecrest was spotted in the formal gardens – this is a first recorded sighting for Crawley and very unusual in any urban area.

It’s well worth listening out for next time you are over at the park but be warned – firecrests are tiny!

So what else is happening in May? Our highlight this month is the Vintage Picnic on May 28th, when we will be celebrating 70 years of Crawley New Town. Entertainment on offer will include a vintage dancing display and workshops, a baking competition, choirs singing 20th century music, a vintage photo booth, cakes and lemonade, vintage artefacts, a photo display, a poetry trail and vintage arts and crafts. More details soon.

Groups meeting regularly this month include the wonderful and indispensable Gardening Club, who meet every Wednesday, the Worth Park Wanders group, who meet the second Thursday of every month for themed walks, or on the third Thursday for a longer, more energetic health walk, the Montefiore Makers, who meet every Thursday and who are helping to make Victorian costumes for use in our visitor centre and for educational activities, and Stroll and Sketch, who are meeting on Sundays and using the park to get fit and learn to draw at the same time.

Worth Park History Group
We also have a new group starting this month who will be trying to gather together some of the historical information we have been discovering during the project, raising awareness of it and getting it into an accessible format.

The Worth Park History Group will be meeting on May 16th and will be supported by Crawley Museum. One of the things we have discovered as part of our project is that the history of Worth Park is far richer and more complex than we supposed, and it would be wonderful to have your support.

If you can’t come to the meetings but would like to go on the mailing list for news updates then please let me know. People interested in natural history are also welcome to come along as there is a lot of work to be done in terms of recording the many species of plants, trees and wildlife at the park. A poster is attached.

For those of you with children or grandchildren, the theme for our Worth Park Wednesday this coming half term on May 31st will be bees. I’m sorry that we couldn’t run a Worth Park Wednesday over Easter, which was due to staffing issues.

Worth Park Friends have a very interesting programme of activities for this year and their website is full of information – take a look on website worthparkfriends.org . The croquet club are also now out three times a week on the lawns, and are always happy to welcome new players wanting to try out the game. Find out more on website www.crawleycroquetclub.org.uk

11th May Worth Park Wanders: Croquet 10.30am-12.00pm
11th, 18th and 25th May Montefiore Makers 2-4pm
14th 21st and 28th May Stroll and Sketch 10-12 (fully booked)
16th May Worth Park History Group 2-4pm
25th May Worth Park Health Walk 10.30-12.30
28th May Worth Park Vintage Picnic 11.00am-3.00pm
31st May Worth Park Wednesdays: Buzzy Bees 10am-3pm

For more information about these or any other activities at Worth Park, please get in touch. I am now based at Ridleys Court so please drop in if you are passing – it will always be lovely to see you!

Thank you as always for your support for Worth Park.

Best wishes

Edwina Livesey

phone 01293 438027
phone 07826 917846
email edwina.livesey@crawley.gov.uk
Participation Officer – Worth Park
Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall, The Boulevard
Crawley, RH10 1UZ


Facebook worthparkcrawley
email worthpark@crawley.gov.uk
website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark

Worth Park – A Unique Victorian Garden and Landscape

Crawley Observer – Worth Park Gardens

Three fun new additions to Worth Park
8th April 2017 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Jennifer Logan
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

Worth Park in Crawley has three fun new additions.

Three life-size cows have been added to the meadow in the park, which has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Three life-size cows have been added to the park. Picture: Jon Rigby

West Sussex based sculptor Simon Groves created the two adult cows and a calf in 2016 from a 180-year-old oak tree sourced from the Petworth Estate.

West Sussex based sculptor Simon Groves created the cows. Picture: Jon Rigby

Cabinet member for Wellbeing, councillor Chris Mullins, said: “Simon has done a wonderful job, and the cows are a fantastic addition to the park.

“Since they have been installed, we have had some great feedback about them and I look forward to park users enjoying them for years to come.”

The cows were commissioned to emphasise the history of the park by highlighting the use of open parkland in the Montefiore era for grazing herds of prize-winning Jersey cows, which were a feature of the Worth Park landscape for many years, the council said.

In keeping with the history of the park, they are located close to the ha-ha, a walled ditch intended to be invisible from the house whilst keeping cattle from straying into the formal gardens.

For more information about Worth Park, visit website www.crawley.gov.uk/worthpark.