The roundabout by the Sovereign Centre is now home to a pride of lions.

Thanks to generous sponsorship by the proprietor of the Lions Hotels four of the concrete lion sculptures have been installed.

For many the roundabout is one of the main landmarks on the way to the seafront. The lions have so far proved to be a popular addition to the local landscape.

The roundabout also has five established planted beds, a central group of trees and during the spring there are masses of yellow daffodils.

Friends of Princes Park Fun Day 20th August

The sun shone and crowds attended the recent fun day organised by the Friends of Princes Park.

The event was officially opened at 11am by the Mayor, Councillor Caroline Heaps. The Mayor took time to visit all the stalls and displays and meet members of the public.

Amongst the family entertainment was Punch and Judy, birds of prey, crockery smashing, tombola and many other stands selling items to help raise funds for the Friends group formed in 2005.

Parks and Gardens staff were on hand with their own stand celebrating the recent presentation of a Green Flag Award for the quality of Princes Park.

Hedge replaced at The Helen Garden

A long section of hedge has recently been replaced along side The Helen Garden at the west end of King Edwards Parade.

The old hedge consisted of Euonymus japonicus that had become affected by Euonymus scale insect. The insect is difficult to eradicate and its presence in large numbers had begun to kill sections of the hedge.

Rather than leave the Euonymus hedge to deteriorate and become unsightly the hedge has been replaced with one consisting of Griselinia littoralis. This is unaffected by scale insect and should form an attractive thick hedge within three or four years.

Late summer fun in Gildredge Park

The late summer days are still attracting large numbers of people to our parks and gardens when the sun shines.

Gildredge Park is particularly popular with the visiting foreign language students that the town welcomes each year. They have made good use of recent warm afternoons to organise informal volleyball matches and other activities.

The tennis and bowls clubs remain busy and many family groups have been enjoying the well-equipped playground.