Here you will find everything you need to know relating to the current and future activities of Friends of Valley Gardens as well as important current information about Valley Gardens.
Bulletins
Replacement of the Fort in Valley Gardens
In the early morning hours of Saturday, 8th Oct 2011, an arson fire destroyed the fort in the Valley Gardens Play Area. Since then, HBC has been working to replace the fort. A design has now been chosen as reported in the Harrogate News below:
Harrogate News
community-led news reporting
16/01/2012
Fort to be replaced in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
The popular centrepiece of the play area in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is being replaced with an even more exciting facility.
The Fort was damaged beyond repair following an arson attack late last year.
Harrogate Borough Council has consulted on three options to replace the Fort and children and parents have given the thumbs up to proposals put forward by Eibe Play Ltd. It will have a wobble bridge, climbing walls, monkey bars, rope bridges, the all-important slide and much much more.
This is what some of the children and parents said about the design:
“the climbing wall is great, its got a variation of equipment”
“it looks better and funner than the rest”
“it has lots to go on, it is aimed at both age groups (young and old children)”
“awesome”
“it has more activities on it”
Councillor Caroline Bayliss Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, said:
I am so pleased that we are going to be able to fully replace the Fort. I would like to say a big thank you to the Menwith Hill Community Heart Beat fund which contributed £2000 via the Friends of the Valley Gardens to help plug the small funding gap.
Depending on the weather, work will start in mid-February and we hope to have the new Fort ready for opening in time for the Easter holidays. This is a major piece of work and for safety reasons we will have to close the play area once work starts.
Unfortunately, this means that the play area will be closed over the February half term which is a shame but really can’t be avoided if we are to have it ready for Easter. I am so looking forward to seeing children enjoying the replacement Fort. I am sure this new one is going to prove just as popular with them and their parents.
Latest News
2012 Membership Drive: Our Administrative Officer, Sue Clarke, writes: “First of all may I thank you for supporting FOVG throughout 2011. Since FOVG reformed in late 2009, we have raised over £14,000. In 2011, our membership blossomed and virtually tripled giving our fundraising its biggest year to date. With our increased membership we have raised £10,000 this year alone. With your help and subscriptions we look forward to raising even more throughout 2012. This can only be done with your help and support. Your contributions have been very important, helping to keep Valley Gardens the unique and special place we all know and love.”
Please click here to download the membership and standing order forms for 2012. If you prefer, please contact us by email.
Latest Newsletter Published: Our latest Newsletter can be viewed on line here or downloaded here. It is full of interesting information about activities over the past 3 months.
FOVG Gardening Group Established: If you are interested in helping with the maintenance of the gardens within Valley Gardens, you will be pleased to know that FOVG has established a gardening group. The schedule and tasks to be undertaken by this group are still being determined, but if you are interested in being kept informed of future activities, please contact Tony Sissons at tony@sissons.demon.co.uk
Historical Photos of Valley Gardens Posted: Many historical photographs of Valley Gardens have been posted on the site. These photos have been made available by North Yorkshire County Library Services. Please visit the gallery here.
40s Open Day Event Planned for 10th June 2012 (to see photos of the 2011 event, click here)