The Friends of Ellington Park have enjoyed a bumper year following the lifting of Covid restrictions and the magnificent regeneration programme. We would like to thank the National Lottery Fund, Thanet District Council and all the contractors for their help and support in achieving this.
The Friends are very proud and delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award and the Green Heritage Site accreditation. These accolades are a testament to the hard work of staff and dedicated volunteers.
This year, the Friends, along with the Heritage Lottery funded Activity Officer, have been engaging with schools, local charities and community groups to hold a wide-ranging programme of events: including the welcome return of our May Fayre, International Bee Day (we now even have our own swarm of Elli Bees being nurtured by Thanet Beekeepers Association!), Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, Heritage Open Day, Family Picnic and free children’s activities during the school holidays. We’ve recently had our now annual Hallowe’en Party and are looking forward to our Christmas Fayre on Sunday December 11.
The Ellington Park Café celebrated its first anniversary in August and has become a popular hub for meeting family and friends while enjoying the beautiful panoramic view from the terrace. Winter opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm for a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks.
Now in its seventh year, the Ellington Park Bookshop has been attracting a growing number of keen book browsers and buyers to its large range of books for all ages and tastes.
In addition to the new trees and landscaping that were part of the Heritage Lottery project, the Friends have also expanded the wildlife area planting wild flowers, additional hedging and sponsored fruit trees.
It’s encouraging to see other groups using the park too, for so many events such as the fantastic Festival of Sound, the landscape painting workshops, TDC’s Big Green Week, the Salvation Army family days, as well as mental-health awareness events like Mencap’s “yarn bomb” of the bandstand, Lived Experience information day for young people and many more.
Finally, we’re extremely grateful to all those dedicated people who have helped arrange events and activities throughout the year, done litter-picking, gardening and watering trees during the long, hot summer.
Thank you all so much.
To become involved in any way or to join the Friends of Ellington Park, please get in touch
via email:
friendsofellingtonpark@gmail.com