Hotham Park Heritage Trust, in partnership with Arun District Council, was awarded 2.2 million from the National Lottery in 2007 for the restoration and improvement of the park. The major works have been carried out and the park now benefits from a substantially greater area of open parkland for everyone to enjoy.
The Trust is a volunteer group of dedicated supporters protecting the heritage of this beautiful green space. The biggest fund raising event held by the Trust is the annual August Country Fair, which is held over two days and funds raised are used to improve the park’s facilities.
Hotham Park Heritage Trust was formed
in 1998 as a non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit making
voluntary organisation designed to protect the heritage of
Sir Richard Hotham, founder of the park. The park opened to
the public in 1947 and the Trust is an important factor in
its future sustainability. Following the successful application
to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2006, in which The Trust acted
as a key partner with Arun District Council, the Park was
awarded 2.2million pounds and now has an additional 5.5 acres
of open parkland and covers an overall area of 9 hectares
(22 acres). The Trust’s members are all volunteers and their
mission is to ensure that the park reaches its potential as
an invaluable community asset that makes a substantial contribution
to conservation, ecology, health, education, regeneration,
cultural and community cohesion.
The Trust represents users of the park and it produces an annual calendar of meetings, talks and outings agreed with its membership. Fundraising events have raised considerable sums for the park, the largest contributions being £18,000 toward the children’s playground, £6,700 toward restoration of the clock tower, £5,000 for plants for the ornamental pond garden, and 4 park benches costing £1,000 each. Our greatest fund raising event is the Hotham Park Country Fair held over two days in August every year.
There are over 100
varieties of tree's in Hotham Park and many of them are well
over 100 years old, and it is a haven to wildlife giving pleasure
to people of all ages. You can help us to protect this ancient
parkland by joining the Trust. Follow the membership link.
The Trust’s Headquarters are situated in The Lodge adjacent to the car park at the main entrance.
