Philippa Howell has successfully coordinated the FoP plant sale in recent years but now that she is no longer a trustee, the task fell to others to put it together and run it. The weather was wonderful on the appointed day, 3 May, and although there were fewer nurseries than in previous years, stalls run…

We’re pleased to welcome Barbara Leigh as the new Volunteer Coordinator for the Friends of Pittville Green Space Volunteers team. She will be working alongside Chris Archibald, the outgoing Volunteers Coordinator over the next few months before Chris and Jill leave Cheltenham permanently for a new home in northern England. We will be thanking Chris…

Situated between the main children’s play area and the aviaries are six brick planters. These were overgrown and of little interest to visitors. FoP Green Space Volunteers suggested to CBC last year that these could be cleared and a sensory garden that would be fun and provide an interest for children and families be created.…

COULD YOU BE OUR NEW AUDITOR?  For many years we have been very fortunate to have a volunteer auditor, Joe Marr, to whom we are extremely thankful. However, Joe is now stepping down and we need to find a suitable replacement before our next AGM in October. We are seeking an individual who would be…

FREE Tuesday Lunchtime Young Musician Concerts at 1pm in Pittville Pump Room, arranged by the Cheltenham Music Festival Society, in collaboration with the Cheltenham Trust. 4 March   Eleanor O’Driscoll (soprano) & Chloe Underwood (piano) 18 March   Nina Savicevic (piano) 25 March   Concert for Ukraine tbc 1 April  Ivan Hovorum (piano)

Our mute swan pair on Pittville lakes had six cygnets in the spring of 2024. Two were taken (by predators unknown) early on, and one was injured whilst learning to fly. It recovered in Vale Wildlife Hospital, but was away too long to be reintroduced to the family unit so went elsewhere. The remaining youngsters…

It looks as if the annual FoP plant sale will be held on 3 May in the usual place in front of the Scout Hut on Central Cross Drive. We will be very grateful for contributions of plants by members and friends, especially as a key provider of contributions is unable to supply plants this…

Green Space Volunteers Although we decided that the first working party to be held on 2 January was too close to the start of the new year, the following working parties have been well supported. The gates in Pittville Lawn continue to be well looked after, together with the adjacent garden area. The rockeries adjacent…

A massive holm oak located in the southern section of the gardens bounded by Pittville Crescent and Albert Road came down in the storms before Christmas. Tree officers plan to pull the root plate back into position in the hope of enabling the tree to regrow, but most of its branches had to be removed.…

After much deliberation, Friends of Pittville have selected local artist Natasha Houseago to carve an original sculpture as part of the new sensory garden project. Natasha was selected because she has long experience of producing robust, compelling abstract wooden carvings in public spaces and, importantly to us, the way she works is fundamentally based in…