Another Successful FoSGHP Gathering at St Swithun’s School!

The Friends of St Giles Hill Park held their Gathering at St Swithun’s School earlier this month.  The aim was to look back at progress so far in helping improve the Park but mainly to cover ambitions to achieve an overall long term Framework Plan for the Park.

Currently, the management of the Park is based on a Winchester City Council 5 year Management Plan which is about half way through its lifespan.  However, the Friends, with the support of the Council and bodies ranging from The Hampshire Gardens Trust to the South Downs National Park agree that a long-term Framework Plan is needed for such an important asset.  Fund raising is under way to put such a plan in place so as to guide the development of the Park in the future.

Nearly 50 Friends attended the event and showed their enthusiastic support for activities and plans. Many added generously to the fund-raising necessary for a Framework Plan to be created whilst bids have also been made to various bodies for support.

The event provided an opportunity to thank volunteers and supporters.  Alongside generous support from individuals this year has seen valuable funding and support from Savills and additional funding from Hampshire County Council.  The Friends also received £2290 funding from Winchester City Council recently for purchasing battery power tools. 

Robert Tottle of Savills and Kelsie Learney, WCC Cabinet Member for Climate and Nature Emergency attended the meeting and were thanked for the Partnership Agreements with the Friends developed during 2025.

Harry Mycock and Mike Biden of The Friends flank Robert Tottle of Savills, a valued sponsor of the Friends

Harry Mycock and Mike Biden from the Friends flank Kelsie Learney of WCC to celebrate a year when the Friends and Council have agreed a Partnership Agreement for St Giles Hill Park.