By Cllr Nigel Goodyear
For some time, I have held an ambition to see Sovereign Park better cared for, improved, and made safer for residents, all while preserving the semi-natural habitats that make it special.
Recent months have seen concentrated efforts to lay the groundwork, from replacing old, worn-out signage to thinning out brambles and clearing unwanted plants.
I am delighted to report that we have now reached the point where the establishment of a formal 'Friends of Sovereign Park' group is viable.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, 'Friends' groups are volunteer organisations run by residents who help care for and improve green spaces across our town.
We are fortunate to have successful examples locally, such as the Friends of Meads Parks and Gardens and the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront.
Plans are now in hand to form a dedicated committee for our area, and I am pleased to say that Dr Poppy Lakeman-Fraser, a local resident and Senior Project Coordinator at Imperial College London’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, has agreed to chair the group.
Now that we have reached this stage, the decision has been taken to expand the group's remit over time to include all council-controlled green spaces within our Sovereign Ward. By doing so, we will be able to join forces with other established groups under the 'Friends Together' banner.
This collaborative approach has been approved by the Council’s Director, giving us confidence that we can build a resilient voice for our green spaces, regardless of any future changes to local government structures.
This is a new and exciting venture, and we are looking for residents to help build it from the ground floor up. If you would like to be involved, please contact me at [email protected] or on 07716 378399.
