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Welcome to the Friends of Portswood Rec.

 

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 play equipment.

 

October Books - Southampton's only independent bookshop - has been a stable presence on Portwood's high street for many years.  Beyond the retail side, it's a meeting space for all kinds of community-focused activities, and has generously supported us with raffle prizes.  To drive away the chill winds, October Books' staff and volunteers are hosting a fundraiser poetry afternoon on Saturday 15 February. Come any time between 2.30 and 5.00, enjoy the vibe and maybe bring your own poems!   Tickets are £5 each.   If you can't be there in person on the day, do drop in soon for a great selection of books, cards and some super wholefoods.

 

Our 2025 AGM will be on Wednesday 19 March, 19.45 at the Scout Hut, Brickfield Road.  Please see the News page for dates for public meetings through the year.

 

The Rec is a hidden gem, as you can see from our new video - "Portswood Rec - a Place for Everyone".  Shot over different times of year, it showcases how much enjoyment this green space can bring to both adults and children across our wide-ranging community.  We hope it will encourage even more visitors. Find out how to find us.

 

 2025 has started with some frosty mornings, but as the photo shows, keen tennis players weren't deterred.  It's great to see the courts being used all year round!

 

And if the cold weather is keeping you indoors, you can still enjoy our latest e-newsletter, as well as our new Plant of the Month series, beginning with winter honeysuckle.

 

 For many creatures, it's hibernation time now.  The most recent wildlife-friendly addition is our Hibernaculum which gives some of our bugs, reptiles and other creatures somewhere safe and warm to hole up over the winter months. Built by our fantastic volunteers Tony and Joey, using scrap materials, the Hibernaculum will complement our beetle bank, wood piles and bug hotel. See if you can spot it when passing through the park!

 

 Our fundraising team made a successful bid for Bluestar Community Funding, and a presentation took place at the Rec last October. You'll find more details on Bluestar's website.  Meanwhile here's a photo of some of our Gardening Group sporting their first purchase, a very welcome new hosereel.  (Yes, even the winter months can be dry!)  The gardeners will be using the balance to support this year's planting scheme.

 

 Have you seen our outdoor chess table?  Close to the Somerset Road entrance, it's perfect for checkers as well.  With seats on  3 sides, the fourth is open allowing easy wheelchair access too. Bring your own chess pieces and enjoy the world's most popular board game with an estimated 6 million players in the UK.  What's more, chess will be back on the telly later this year with the forthcoming BBC2 series Chess Masters, hosted by Sue Perkins. Our thanks to SCC who had successfully applied for funding for our chess table.

 

For recent news on fundraising, head to the Play Area Latest page.  We've also been receiving media coverage.  This includes an article in the Daily Echo about our campaign for new equipment and surfacing, and some brilliant coverage on both BBC TV and radio. 

 

 The gardening group have now finished their regular Saturday and Sunday sessions for the year.  The gardens are still looking magnificent, as the photo shows.   If you enjoy the outdoors and would like to help develop and maintain one of Southampton's great variety of parks and open spaces, do get in touch.

 

We're delighted that Portswood Rec has retained the prestigious Green Flag award for another two years, thanks to the combined work of the Friends and SCC. We're also proud to be part of the city-wide initiative of developing and promoting more welcoming green spaces.

 

The Friends of Portswood Rec (FoPR) Committee is nearly up to strength in its new form. We're still however looking for two new faces to finally complete the circle.  One is an Events Organiser (aka Social Secretary) who can help devise and run activities in and around the Rec.  The other is a Comms Coordinator, who can tell the whole world about us!  For both these roles, if you - or someone you know - have some previous similar experience, either through work or as a volunteer, this will be really helpful. Your enthusiasm, commitment and a can-do approach will be just as important. Find out more about both these opportunities here.

 

To find out about becoming a Friend, please follow this link.

 

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

 

 Link to Video - Portswood Rec - A Place for Everyone


 

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Friends of Portswood Rec, Southampton, UK

 

 

 

 

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