The Westgate Parks are owned by Canterbury City Council, who manage and maintain it in partnership with the Friends group. After the five-year HLF project ended, in 2018 Friends of Westgate Parks became a Registered Charity (no. 1178364) – with objectives that include maintenance of Tannery Field wild flower meadow, the physic garden, river banks and Bingley wildlife pond, and monitoring river-flies and butterflies. Education includes river and bat walks, archaeological digs, and forest school activities for children and adults (organised by Anna Outdoors, see the link below). Research on biodiversity and archaeology is facilitated.

Volunteer helping with annual cut of wildflower meadow

Currently the Friends urgently need new volunteers to help maintain the physic garden, assist with collecting litter, and help with this website. We also need new trustees – and funds to maintain and extend the events that we can undertake. Email Michael at friendsofwestgateparks@gmail.com to find out more – and if you wish to have your email address added to our circulation list to get news on events and volunteering opportunities. To make a cash donation, please use bank transfer (Friends of Westgate Parks, sort code 60-04-27, account number 98929437), or send a cheque made payable to Friends of Westgate Parks to Hon. Treasurer, 42 Cromwell Rd, Canterbury CT1 3LE.

July 2021 saw the first open-air theatre in the Parks, produced by Tower House and phil&ben Productions in association with The Marlowe, supported by sponsors – and facilitated by Canterbury City Council and Friends of Westgate Parks. A new direction for the future, perhaps?