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. It's also a great place for picnics - but do bear in mind that a disposable barbecue directly on the grass will leave a scorch mark that takes months to regrow. In these very dry conditions, the chances of a fire taking hold are that much greater.

We hope you're enjoying our gardens, with their bright colours and shady places evolving through the year - great for pollinators. Here are a few shots of our Gardening Group definitely enjoying an earlier, cooler start to the day. The group will continue to meet on alternating Saturdays (1st, 3rd and 5th weekends) and Sundays (2nd & 4th weekends) into October. We have welcomed some new members recently, and would love to see more new faces. So if you love being outside, helping nature, and don't mind getting your hands dirty (though gloves will be provided...), do get in touch.

With so much sun and very little rain. it's a challenging time to keep plants and trees (particularly the younger ones) healthy - or even alive. Both the gardeners and the Community Payback team have been busy watering over the last few weeks. So we hope that come the autumn, everything will still be thriving.

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.

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. Thank you for your support.

Co-ordinator Denise Long was a founder of the gardening group, and has spearheaded the rejuvination of the main garden area to become the haven it now is. Denise was successfully nominated earlier this year for a "100 hours" award from Southampton Voluntary Services. That's something of a misnomer, as she contributes more like 1000 hours annually between negotiating, planning and all the practical work.

Following the presentation on 12 June from the Lord Mayor and SVS, Denise reflected: "A bit like the Oscars without the red carpet and statuettes!!! But in true Hollywood style, I would like to say that there are so many people who have put in at tremendous amount of work for FoPR. This recognition is as much about the group effort as it as about me personally.... Between us, and with the support of the Council, we’ve achieved amazing things. Indeed, one councillor said to me recently “As a group, you punch well above your weight”. (Spot Denise lauding it on the top stair. on the right!)

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.

Looking for Agendas and Minutes of past and future meetings? They are here.

To find out about becoming a Friend, please follow this link. And if you're hungry for more about pollinators, check out this recent BBC Radio 4 programme.

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

We're also on social media:

Friends of Portswood Rec, Southampton, UK