The Friends of Town Quay Park (FTQP ) formed in April 2010 when a group of local people got together to stop this much treasured park from being sold for development.
Since this successful campaign, FTQP has grown to approximately 100 members, including over 20 gardening volunteers and an elected Management committee.
We welcome new members who share our commitment to preserve and improve green space in the city.
The current committee members as of September 2023 are:
- Roger Townsend – Chair
- Ginnie Lambert – Vice-Chair and Secretary
- Catherine Curtice – Hon. Treasurer
- Katie Belo dos Santos – Communications Officer
- Philippa Taman – Membership & Volunteer Co-ordinator
- Jennifer Hughes
- Mandy Lacey-Cross
Our goals are:
- To preserve and improve the Town Quay Park site for the wellbeing and pleasure of the community and visitors to the city.
- To work with other interest groups and Southampton City Council to preserve the heritage of the Old Town area for the people of Southampton, visitors to the city and future generations.
- To encourage activities and uses of the park that promote community cohesion, inclusion, health and wellbeing.
A group of over 20 gardening volunteers meet regularly and have transformed the park into a vibrant, colourful space for the community to enjoy.
Events are held regularly such as the Summer picnic with jazz band and games, carol singing in the park, yoga, tai chi, and regular fund-raising quizzes.
Every person who enjoys Town Quay Park and who wants to see it flourish is important and we encourage you to become a member so your views will be heard. Current membership is over 100 and we would love to see this grow to involve even more people, and to strengthen the case for investing in this unique green space.
As well as membership you can support FTQP by joining the gardening group or volunteering to help run an event; donating for the annual purchase of plants or equipment; get your company or group to sponsor an activity or part of the Park; share your expertise or contacts to help us raise funds from major donors. Please contact us with any offers.
Please see our membership page for more details on how you can get involved.
Anyone interested is welcome to join FTQP’s group of friendly enthusiastic gardening volunteers. The group meets twice a month (weather permitting), usually on Tuesday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Some come regularly for the whole 2 hours, others only occasionally or for shorter periods.
Regular work ranges from weeding to planting and pruning. At other times volunteers work on a specific project, such as planting new shrubs or flower beds. No gardening background is needed, although horticultural knowledge is also very welcome. There are opportunities for the less mobile to garden sitting down or standing, and tools can be shared if you don’t have your own.
Why not come along to make new friends and engage in a healthy common activity that’s a real benefit to the local community?
Membership costs:
Annual fees: £2 (unwaged / pensioner), £5 (waged)
Lifetime membership: £25.00
Simply print out the Membership Form, fill in your details and send the form and payment to:
Membership Secretary, FTQP, 8 John Street, Southampton, SO14 3DR