What is a Friends Group?
A Friends Group is a group of local residents and other interested parties who dedicate their time and knowledge to improve their local park or open space. Anyone can join a Friends Group, you don't need to live in the immediate area to be a member.
What do they do?
Friends Groups help the Council by giving them a valuable insight into the needs and aspirations of the local community. They can help gain funding for restoration and conservation projects and can give opinions on proposed plans for the parks and open spaces. Many Friends Groups run their own events such as apple days and dawn chorus walks. They often plan work parties to carry out environmental clean-ups and conservation work such as pond restoration and orchard management.
Where is your nearest Friends Group?
See below the list of Friends Groups in Ipswich and how to contact the groups:
The Friends of Belstead Brook Park:
The Friends of Belstead Brook Park (FoBBP) is a group of local volunteers set up in 2002 who help look after the Park for the benefit of local people and wildlife. We work closely with the Greenways Countryside Project, Ipswich Wildlife Group and other partners interested in the Park. The Friends meet on the second Saturday of each month, except in November when we generally get together with other groups on the third Sunday of the month for a mega work party.
Website: Friends of Belstead Brook Park – Ipswich Wildlife Group
Contact: fobbp@btinternet.com
Friends of the Dales Local Nature Reserve:
The Friends of The Dales Local Nature Reserve is a community group set up to protect and improve The Dales Local Nature Reserve. The Friends Groups meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month to conduct a practical work party with the Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Team.
Facebook Page: Friends of The Dales
Contact: wildlife.team@ipswich.gov.uk
Friends of Chantry Park
The Friends of Chantry Park are a group of local residents and interest groups with a connection to Chantry Park sharing the views of park users and engaging the community with Ipswich’s largest park.
Facebook: Chantry Park Ipswich | Ipswich | Facebook
Contact: billy.cole@ipswich.gov.uk
Friends of Christchurch Park
Do you enjoy spending time in Christchurch Park and do you want to help to keep it special?
The Friends were formed in 1998 and our objectives are:
- to secure the preservation, protection and improvement of the Park as a place of historic and ecological interest, beauty, tranquility, rest and recreation;
- to promote the conservation of the natural plant, animal and bird life in the Park;
- to encourage appropriate use of the Park through a range of activities;
- to educate the public in the history, natural history and other aspects of the Park.
- We work closely with the Park’s management and the local Council to achieve these aims. Find out more by downloading our leaflet: Please click here.
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We organise activities throughout the year and produce a regular newsletter.
Website: Friends of Christchurch Park
Contact: billy.cole@ipswich.gov.uk
Friends of Holywells Park
The Friends of Holywells Park (FOHP) is a volunteer group established in 2001. We aim to increase local knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Holywells Park, a 67-acre area of parkland near the Waterfront in Ipswich.
Website: Friends of Holywells Park
Contact: fohpipswich@gmail.com
Friends of Murray Park
In the Autumn of 2008, a number of local residents got together and established a group with the primary aim of developing the Murray Road (Ipswich) recreational ground.
We meet up regularly to discuss ideas and talk through proposals and set tasks for the forthcoming months. This includes research and communicating with other people and organisations. Most of the work will revolve around preparing for grant applications
Website: Friends of Murray Park
Contact: murrayparkfriends@gmail.com
Friends of Whitehouse Park
The Friends of Whitehouse Park are Ipswich’s newest Park Friends Group, looking to create a community of local people interested in Whitehouse Park working with Ipswich Borough Council to feedback the views of park users on the park’s improvement and management.
Contact: billy.cole@ipswich.gov.uk
Other Associated Groups
Ipswich Wildlife Group
Ipswich Wildlife Group is a registered charity, relying entirely on volunteers, that promotes interest in, and conservation of, wildlife and habitats in and around Ipswich.
Website: Ipswich Wildlife Group
Facebook Page: Ipswich Wildlife Group | Facebook
Contact: ipswichwildlifegroup@gmail.com
Ipswich Allotment Society
Ipswich Allotment Society is responsible for the letting of plots on behalf of the Council.
The Society works very closely with Council officers to represent the views of its members, enabling problems to be identified and improvements to be implemented as efficiently as possible.
Website: Ipswich Allotment Society – Supporting plot-holders across Ipswich
Contact: secretary@ipswich-allotments.org
For more information about renting an allotment visit Renting an allotment | ipswich.gov.uk
Setting up your own Friends Group
You may wish to set up your own friends group. This could be because you would like to protect a natural area, increase public awareness or proposed plans, carry out environmental clean-ups or run events. If you would like to start a Friends Group please contact us by phone or email using the details on the left of this page.