Tag: Hollingdean park community orchard

Join Hollingdean’s Forest Gardeners in 2026! Our first session this year

14th Jan 2026
Forest Gardening on the 3rd Sunday of the month

Sunday 18th January 10-12 at the Hollingdean Community Orchard, Hollingdean Park

Meet at 10am at our colourful shed on Lynchet Close or join us later in the Community Orchard. Bring suitable warm clothes. Tools will all be supplied. Children can join in with a responsible adult. 

Our main community orchard is growing into a Forest Garden with multiple layers of food crops. This month we could be pruning the Apple and Pear trees, mulching with wood chip and weeding around some of the shrub and perennial plants. Something for everyone to do, whatever your experience and interest. And everyone is welcome. Come and join our friendly team for gardening, chat, hot tea and snacks. 

Forest Gardening Volunteers December 2025

Forest Gardening on the 3rd Sunday of the month
Before
Forest Gardening on the 3rd Sunday of the month
After
Forest Gardening on the 3rd Sunday of the month

Thank you to Growing Hollindean volunteers who attended on 7th December 2025

We weeded and mulched some of the fruit trees, fruit bushes and perennials in the park, and also inspected the new water capture facility and volunteer’s benches. Big thanks to Stephan of the Permaculture Trust who built it for us- and for including comfy benches for volunteers and visitors to rest up- with a good view! This summer we should be able to keep the Forest Garden watered with rainwater captured during the winter months and top up the pond if it needs more water too. All goes towards good crops and happy pondlife.

For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers who made this possible.

Thank you to Yanet, Biologist and Shelia, Storyteller for a wonderful Bee-themed afternoon

30th Jun 2025
Thank you to Yanet, Biologist and Shelia, storyteller, A bee themed storytelling at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden, June 2025

A bee-themed storytelling at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden

On the summer solstice Sunday the community orchard was lush and growing well. And we were lucky to have a bee-themed storytelling event to celebrate. Yanet Sepulveda de la Rosa from the University of Sussex explained to children and grown ups what a Biologist is, why bees are so important, and what we can do to help them – the core message in her beautiful book. 

Thank you to Yanet, Biologist and Shelia, storyteller, A bee themed storytelling at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden, June 2025

Sheila brought the story to life as she shared the story in the book and the children participated with sound and questions. The event ended with seeds to plant and take away and some happy children with their copies of the book and stickers! 

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.
Wildflowers plants from Wildflower Conservation Society planted in Hollingdean, April 2025

Visit the Wildflower Conservation Society Open Day at Stamner Park on 13 July 2025

11:00 am – 4:00 pm, FREE to attend, WFCS polytunnel at Stanmer Park, Brighton

Join us for a family-friendly day at the WFCS in Stanmer Park. Discover what we do, along with engaging presentations from our excellent speakers on various conservation topics. Click to see their website here for map and speakers. Wildflowers for sale, our plants are available to buy for just £2 per plant. Our Wildflower meadow walk – Sussex is home to many wonderful meadows. Come and learn more about this beautiful and diverse habitat from 2.45 pm. Childrens’ activities, all day there will be nature based children’s activities like our ‘Bee Facts’ trail. We have a coffee van selling refreshments and will have additional stalls to be announced.

See our Growing Hollingdean map for the nearest wildflower verge near you, here.

For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers who made this possible.

The wildflower patch at Hollingdean Park is looking beautiful

26th Jul 2024
Wild flower patch at Hollingdean park and garden looking beautiful in July 2024 on Lynchet Close
Wild flower patch at Hollingdean park and garden looking beautiful in July 2024 on Lynchet Close

In July 2024 on Lynchet Close

You are never to young to volunteer! The Apple Pickers pre-school Forest School group sowed wildflower seed in this new bed at Hollingdean Park when the new playground was installed (see in a previous post). All their efforts mean there are beautiful flowers to enjoy now and a host of insect life happily buzzing and pollinating. And later this summer, when the blossoms set seed, next year’s wildflowers will be sown. There will be even more to see next year. All the fruit trees, fruit bushes and plants across Hollingdean will have a better chance of producing good crops next season.

Apple Pickers DIY Forest School

Thank you to the Apple Pickers!

Wild flower patch at Hollingdean park and garden looking beautiful in July 2024 on Lynchet Close
Poppy, Greater Celandine, Yellow Rattle,
Cleavers Galium aparine (sticky-willy)
Wild flower patch at Hollingdean park and garden looking beautiful in July 2024 on Lynchet Close
Poppies, Lady Bedstraw, oxeye daises,

We look forward to meeting you.

If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!

Apple Pickers DIY Forest School

27th May 2024
Apple Pickers DIY Forest School, Hollingdean Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds
Apple Pickers DIY Forest School, Hollingdean Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds

Hollingdean Park Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds

Summer is well on its way and the community orchard behind the Children’s Centre in Hollingbury Park is in full leaf.  The Apple Pickers is a new DIY forest school where parents and their preschool kiddos hang out on a Friday afternoon 3-5pm to explore  and care for the green space. Would you like to join in?

Apple Pickers DIY Forest School, Hollingdean Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds

Visitors Caroline Lucas MP and Sian Berry dropped by to say hello

This Friday we had some additional friends come to play when Caroline Lucas and Sian Berry stopped by to see what was going on.  The little ones showed them our new pond, made this spring with the support of Froglife. The orchard is also home to some Bee Hotels, habitats for solitary bees which have been installed by University of Sussex as part of a research study.  

Apple Pickers DIY Forest School, Hollingdean Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds

The group is free and open to anyone that wants to stop by with their little ones, very friendly and informal and ideal if your kiddos need space to roam around! Pop along one Friday or email growinghollingdean@gmail.com for more info or any questions. 

For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers who made this possible.