Friends of Greenhill Gardens (FOGG)
The Friends of Greenhill Gardens have made real headway in helping our Greenspaces department to improve the gardens and attain a nationally recognised award since they formed in March 2007.
All the money raised through donations at events is reinvested in garden projects.
The Friends of Greenhill Gardens is established for the public benefit to:
- Work in partnership with the Council and others, as appropriate, in the development and management of the gardens.
- Promote public awareness of, pride in and responsible and positive use and enjoyment of the gardens by residents and visitors of all ages.
- Act as a consultative group to the Council and other bodies on matters concerning the gardens.
- With the Council, maintain ‘Green Flag’ status to secure the garden’s long term future. Act as a consultative group to the Council and other bodies on matters concerning the Gardens.
- Lobby for the interests of the gardens.
- Help raise funding for the enhancement of the gardens.
- Carry out and encourage others to carry out practical projects to enhance the gardens.
Some of the projects the group have pioneered:
The Bandstand
FOGG’s early decision to encourage more use of the gardens after 2007 resulted in a bandstand bueing built for performers to entertain locals and visitors.
Every Sunday from June to early September, 2pm to 4pm, it hosts musical events with soloists, duets, choirs and groups performing regularly. The afternoons have become very popular and hundreds of people attend each year to listen to the music with Weymouth Bay as the backdrop.
The Celebration Arch
An impressive wave-shaped arch at the entrance to the gardens from the Esplanade was opened in April 2019. The Celebration Arch commissioned by the Friends Group and opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell honours our longest reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed by Tina Walton and constructed by Simon Meiklejohn from Herefordshire.
The Floral Clock House
Greenhill Gardens has had a floral clock since 1936. The timepiece underwent months of renovation in 2023 and 2024 and the clock house incorporating it’s workings has been rebuilt. An official opening event took place on Saturday 29 June 2024. To read more, visit featured news.
Contact the Friends of Greenhill Gardens
Call 07794 631771 or email weymouthfogg@gmail.com
