The Friends of Portswood Rec (FoPR) is a group of local people who enjoy visiting this green space. Working with both Southampton City Council (SCC) and other groups, we're aiming to improve facilities and increase biodiversity in the Rec, so that it's truly a place for everyone. We're doing this, as volunteers, through initiatives such as the weekly gardening group, and ongoing fundraising for new facilities. Find out how to find us.

The Rec is a hidden gem, as you can see from our video - "Portswood Rec - a Place for Everyone". Shot over different times of year, it highlights how much enjoyment this green space can bring to both adults and children across our wide-ranging community.

Our Big Park Tidy defied the odds on 6 December with scarcely a drop of rain all morning. We had a very good turnout with around 20 volunteers clearing fallen leaves from the tennis courts, play area and most of the surrounding paths. No surprises - there was plenty of scraping, shovelling and trundling our eclectic collection of wheelbarrows round to the compost area and back. But it was also a really good social occasion, meeting up with old friends and new over coffee and cake. The Scouts were on hand too, undertaking some extra litter picking, helping to stock the dead hedge, and planting bulbs by the tennis courts.

Several people (and their dogs!) walking through told us what a difference we were making - really good to hear as well.

Our Gardening Group are taking a break over the winter but will start up again around the end of March, most probably on alternate Saturdays and Sundays again. Do give us a shout if you'd like to find out more.

Three of the Group were guests on Fiesta 95 community radio towards the end of last year. Fiesta has an extra appeal for Southampton's Latin American communities. Pam, Natalia and Garth chatted (in variously English and Spanish) about the great work that our volunteers carry out at the Rec with DJ Keith Venn. Between the chats, Keith played some of their favourite songs. Intrigued? Catch up with them here.

Do you have access to a garden yourself, or a patio planter? If so, you'll find some fascinating, practical info from the RHS, on the plants that butterflies, bees and hoverflies absolutely love.

Coming up soon (23-25 January) is the Big Garden Birdwatch. The organisers, RSPB, introduce it as "the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers like you take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring." Find out how to take part. There's some excellent advice on feeding garden birds as well - especially important while they're breeding and raising their chicks.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust honours "wildlife heroes" across the county. This year, FoPR were Highly Commended "for transforming their local urban park into a haven for wildlife. Work includes creating a wildflower meadow, planting native hedges and trees, installing bat and bird boxes, building bug hotels, and managing habitats for hedgehogs, stag beetles, and other species. They have also engaged the local community through educational displays, children’s events, and monthly Nature Notes, encouraging residents to appreciate and protect urban wildlife." Follow the link above for other truly inspiring stories, including those of some brilliant young citizen scientists. Denise and Garth Long received the award on behalf of the Friends at The Point in Eastleigh on 23 October.

If you're aged 16 - 23 and keen to find out more about conservation, you'll be interested in SCC's 'Young Rangers' scheme. The group meets monthly on a Saturday on the Common, with a weekday meeting planned in college holidays too. More details from SCC's Lead Ranger Dawn Bannatyne. The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, is open to everyone from 10-3 every Sunday, plus Wednesdays during holidays. It's located behind the Cowherds pub - from the Avenue, turn into Northlands Road, and then for pedestrians sharp right through the blue gate.

FoPR's Autumn/Winter e-newsletter is now out, with some lovely memories from the past year. Special thanks to May Lindsay for putting it all together.

The very great majority of (human and canine) visitors to the Rec come for enjoyment and relaxation. If you are aware of any instances of damaged equipment, anti-social behaviour or fly-tipping, we have contact details for the relevant authorities here. And for everyone's sake, please remember to bag-it and bin-it after your dog has done big business.... I'll spare you the photo. Thank you for your support.

Looking for Agendas and Minutes of past and future meetings? They are here. And to find out about becoming a Friend, please follow this link.

Our video gives an overview of Portswood Rec and our group:

We're also on social media:

Friends of Portswood Rec, Southampton, UK