The restored greenhouse, now a thriving community hub.

Care about Alexandra Park? Come to the Friends’ AGM

The Friends of Alexandra Park have reformed and now invite all to attend their annual general meeting on 12 August where the group’s future direction will be decided. The meeting will be held in the restored greenhouse, which recently hosted a successful cacti and succulents show. Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group’s press officer Lynda Foy reports, photos by Colin Foy.

Here’s your chance to have a say about the future of Alexandra Park.

The park has been without a friends group for several years, but following the election of a committee in June, a new Friends of Alexandra Park (FOAP) has been launched. They plan to hold their first annual general meeting at the park’s greenhouse, off St Helens Road, near the Eat @ the Park Cafe, on Tuesday 12 August.

The AGM, which will run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, offers the public the chance to help shape future developments at the park.

Success story

One of the park’s success stories in recent years has been the restoration of the greenhouse, which the Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group has turned into a thriving community hub hosting a flow of mainly horticultural events.

Alan Bromley with a water-storing cautex succulent.

The most recent was a weekend dedicated to cacti and succulents on 5 and 6 July. On the Saturday the show, organised by the British Cactus and Succulent Society, attracted 190 visitors who bought many of the varieties on show.

Alan Bromley, secretary of the Hastings and Rother Valley branch, who arranged the event with Brighton and Hove branch members, said varieties displayed included a cautex succulent from Central America. This is a plant which stores water in its roots on the soil’s surface, allowing it to survive in arid or dry conditions, he said.

Emilia Hamilton with a blooming cactus.

Christian Hamilton, from the Brighton and Hove branch, displayed and sold cacti and succulents with his 13-year-old daughter Emilia. The pair have an expanding collection of plants and Emilia said: “I like the ones with flowers; they are really beautiful.”

Among the unusual varieties displayed by Stuart Riley, chairman of the Hastings and Rother branch, was a Mexican echeveria succulent. Mr Riley sells plants as well as being a collector.

Greenhouse volunteer Eddie Weekes also sold varieties on his stall. He has a collection of more than 200 plants.

On the Sunday  Mr Bromley gave a talk about cacti and succulents at the greenhouse, giving tips about growing and caring for them.

The Hastings and Rother Valley branch meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7.30pm in Sedlescombe Village Hall. Details from secretary@rothervalley.bcss.org.uk.

Friends of Alexandra Park AGM Tuesday 12 August, 6.30-7.30pm. Alexandra Park Greenhouse, off St Helens Road, Hastings. All welcome.

Stuart Riley with his plant collection.

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