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SOUTH HILL PARK, BRACKNELL

TEN YEAR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN 2012 – 2021

November 2012

Last updated January 2019

South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019

SOUTH HILL PARK, BRACKNELL

TEN YEAR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN 2012 - 2021

November 2012

Contents: Page

Context

2 Introduction 10

1 6

2.1 South Hill Park – A Brief History 10

3 Policy Context 12

3.1 Planning Status and Designations 12

3.2 BFC Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 13

3.3 Bracknell Forest Sustainable Community Strategy 15

3.4 Biodiversity Action Plan 16

4 Key Site Information 18

4.1 Site Location and Park Boundaries 18

4.2 Ownership and Leases 20

4.3 Character Areas 23

4.4 Geology and Topography 26

4.5 Hydrology 26

4.6 Water Bodies 27

4.7 Ecology 30

4.8 Formal Planting 34

4.9 Trees 34

4.10 Rhododendrons 36

4.11 The Arts Centre 36

5 38Site Description and Green Flag Analysis

5.1 A Welcoming Place 38

5.2 Healthy, Safe and Secure 46

5.3 Well Maintained and Clean 53

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5.4 Environmental Management 59

5.5 Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage 64

5.6 Community Involvement 70

5.7 Marketing and Communication 83

5.8 Management 87

6 Vision 88

6.1 Vision Statement 88

6.2 South Hill Park Arts Centre Mission Statement 88

6.3 Aims and Objectives 89

7 Management of South Hill Park 92

7.1 Management Structure 92

8 Site Maintenance 100

8.1.1 North Wood 100

8.1.2 East Park 101

8.1.3 West Park 102

8.1.4 North Lake 103

8.1.5 Balancing Pond 104

8.1.6 Arts Centre 105

8.1.7 South Lawn 109

8.1.8 Birch Hill Banks 110

8.1.9 South Lake 110

8.1.10 Shrubbery 112

8.1.11 Birch Hill Woodland 113

8.1.12 Ice House 115

8.2 Annual Work Plan 116

9 124Financial Plan

10 125Monitoring and Review

11 126 Appendices (separate document)

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Figures: Page

Figure South Hill Park location map 18

Figure South Hill Park boundaries 19

Figure Land ownership and leases 21

Figure Map of land ownership and leases 22

Figure Landscape character areas 23

Figure South Lake de-silting works 27

Figure Floating island installation in the North Lake 29

Figure View across wildflower meadow 32

Figure Rhododendron ponticum in Birch Hill Woods 33

Figure Heritage tree survey 35

Figure Cycle route network through South Hill Park 39

Figure Main entrance sign 41

Figure Visitor map of South Hill Park 42

Figure Waymarkers for walking trails 43

Figure Main gates in front courtyard 43

Figure Front courtyard planting and sculpture 44

Figure Four walking trails around South Hill Park 47

Figure Park facilities 50

Figure Community litter picking event at South Hill Park 54

Figure Boardwalk over the Balancing Pond 61

Figure Bench in Birch Hill Woodland character area 61

Figure Decayed monolith 62

Figure Construction plan of no-dig path 65

Figure No-dig path through the woodland 65

Figure Bat boxes in the woodland 66

Figure Terrace piers overlooking South Lawn 68

Figure Ripple Wall by William Pye, South Lake 69

Figure Park notice board 85

Figure South Hill Park management structure 93

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Figure 30 Maintenance plan – Bracknell Forest Council 94

Figure 31 Maintenance plan – Bracknell Town Council 96

Figure 32 Maintenance plan – South Hill Park Trust 98

Figure 33 Maintenance plan – Continental Landscapes Ltd 99

Tables:

Page

Table 1 Clay/acid meadow wildflower mix 31

Table 2 Outdoor events at South Hill Park 2018 77

Table 3 Proposed outdoor events at South Hill Park 2019 79

Management and maintenance plan aims and Table 4 89

objectives

Table 5 South Hill Park 10 year revenue budget 124

Appendices (see separate document) Page

Preliminary report on rhododendrons at South Hill Appendix 1 126

Park by Michael Lear Associates

Appendix 2 Site inspection proforma 137

Appendix 3 BFC quality assessment criteria 141

Appendix 4 Park user survey 2009 summary results 143

Appendix 5 Comparison of visitor survey results 2009, 2018 144

Appendix 6 Visitor count sheet and map 147

Appendix 7 Audience Development Plan 149

Appendix 8 Volunteer Action Plan 165

Appendix 9 Training Plan 172

178

Appendix 11 Conservation management plan policies

Appendix 10 Commemorative Trees and Benches

181

Joint management committee (grounds group) terms Appendix 12 184

of reference

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1. Context

In 2004, Bracknell Forest Council secured a Project Planning Grant from the

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under the Public Parks Initiative. This grant

funded the production of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and an

Audience Development and Access Plan (ADP). A major review was carried

out as part of the preliminary stages of plan preparation, including extensive

consultation with a wide range of interested bodies, groups and individuals.

The South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan, Audience Development

Plan and Access Plan were subsequently published in November 2005.

The resulting vision statement was:

“To revitalise the park as a thriving, vibrant, varied open space which builds

on the special qualities of its historic landscape, its natural beauty and its art

activities, as a safe and attractive oasis in Bracknell town which benefits the

whole community.”

Following on from publication of the Conservation Management Plan, a

business plan was produced setting out how this vision would be realised.

This formed the basis of an application for funding from the Heritage Lottery

Fund and Big Lottery Fund Parks for People programme.

Project actions centred on objectives relating to:

• Understanding and protecting the significance of the site • Natural features: Geology, Topography, Hydrology and Nature

Conservation

• Designed features: Archaeology, Landscape and Setting, Buildings,

Structures

• Social features: Past, Present and Future

Works were grouped around three key themes:

A. Audience Access Improvements

Interpretation

Furniture Design and Provision

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B. Heritage Conserving Structures and Stonework

C. Landscape Garden Restoration

& Biodiversity New Planting

Lake Conservation

Woodland Management

The total project cost was approximately £4.4m including, development,

implementation and ten year management and maintenance.

Projects of this scale have to be delivered through a two-stage process. A

Stage One application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund / Big Lottery

Fund Parks for People programme in September 2007.

This application was successful and a Stage One pass was awarded in April

2008 which funded detailed design and costing work. A sum of £298,832 was

allocated as the Stage One costs and a grant of 70% (£209,900) was

provided.

Stage One was successfully completed in March 2009. The detailed scheme

was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund / Big Lottery Fund as a Stage

Two application on 31st March 2009.

The Stage Two Grant award of £2.3m was confirmed on 20 July 2009. This

provided funding to implement landscape restoration works at South Hill Park,

together with access improvements and conservation of heritage features

Objectives and associated actions included making the park welcoming and

attractive to people of all ages and backgrounds; making it accessible

regardless of physical ability; increasing understanding and enjoyment;

making more people aware of the park; making it a safe place; managing it as

a resource for both the local community and Bracknell as a whole; and

increasing arts-related activity and involvement in the park.

Related activities included implementation of an Audience Development Plan,

Volunteers Plan, and Training Plan. This has supported initiatives such as

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appointing artists (Fred Baier Associates) to work with local community

representatives to create a new trails network; the forming of a Friends of

South Hill Park Grounds, photographic recording by Bracknell Camera Club;

conservation volunteering through Bracknell Conservation Volunteers; and

the Partners in Youth project led by the local Neighbourhood Action Group

(encouraging young people to enjoy the park and participate in looking after

the site).

An outline Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP) was first

produced in July 2007 as part of the above referenced business plan and

Stage One application.

This was then refined for the Stage Two submission and prepared in March

2009 in accordance with the Heritage Lottery Fund guidance set out in ‘Parks

for People: Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan Guidance’ (HLF

January 2009).

The Stage Two version of this Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan

(MMP) was prepared by a Working Group comprising:

• Richard Scrivener, Project Officer, South Hill Park, Bracknell Forest

Council

• Richard Walton, Head of Parks and Countryside, Bracknell Forest

Council

• Graham Pockett, Development Officer (Parks and Countryside),

Bracknell Forest Council

• Allan Moffat, Recreational Facilities Manager, Bracknell Town Council

• Ron McAllister, Chief Executive, South Hill Park Trust

• Mike Aslin, Operations Manager, South Hill Park Trust

• David Withycombe, Land Management Services Ltd

• Jon Collins, Land Management Services Ltd

This updated version of the Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan for

South Hill Park has been produced to reflect the completed project. It was

prepared in November 2012 by:

• Kath Moss, South Hill Park Manager, Bracknell Forest Council

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• Richard Walton, Head of Parks and Countryside, Bracknell Forest

Council

• Graham Pockett, Parks & Countryside Development Officer, Bracknell

Forest Council

• Rose Wicks, Parks & Countryside Projects Officer, Bracknell Forest

Council

• Allan Moffat, Recreational Facilities Manager, Bracknell Town Council

• Mike Aslin, Operations Manager, South Hill Park Trust

This plan has also been produced with reference to the following:

• South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan (2005)

• ‘A Guide to Producing Park and Green Space Management Plans’

(CABE Space, 2004)

• ‘The Green Flag Award Guidance Manual’ (2009)

• ‘Management and Maintenance Planning’ (Heritage Lottery Fund,

2008)

This MMP is set out as follows:

• Context

• Introduction

• Policy Context

• Key Site Information

• Site Description and Green Flag Analysis

• Vision, Aims and Objectives

• Management of South Hill Park

• Site Maintenance

• Financial Plan

• Monitoring and Review

• Appendices

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2. Introduction

2.1 South Hill Park: A Brief History Information in this section is drawn from Section three (Evolution of the Site)

of the Conservation Management Plan produced in November 2005.

South Hill Park lies two km to the south of Bracknell town centre, in the

Borough of Bracknell Forest. The park extends to an area of approximately

23ha (56 acres) as shown on the site plan. The park is located at the heart of

the Birch Hill residential area, which is typical of the new town development

associated with Bracknell. It is divided in two by Ringmead, a road

constructed in the 1970s when adjacent housing areas were under

development.

The site originated as part of Windsor Forest, which was a heathy, partly

wooded royal hunting forest. The park was enclosed sometime in the mid

17th century, probably illegally, as many parks were in this area. By 1679

there was a Mansion called South Hill, in a park of about 100 acres, with

fields, orchards, woods and a pond or ponds.

During the C18, the park developed many of the features typical of landscape

parks of the period: the stream was dammed to form a series of serpentine

lakes winding through parkland, which was planted with clumps of trees and

enclosed by a belt of woodland. The kitchen garden was moved out of sight

of the house in the south of the park. During the first half of the C19, the

estate was enlarged by the Earl of Limerick from 148 to 346 acres (60 to 140

ha) and the pleasure grounds south of the house began to be developed. Sir

William Hayter created new geometric gardens, terrace, shrubberies and

serpentine walks in the mid century and remodeled the house in the Italianate

style. In the later C19, the house and terraced gardens, with steps and

balustrades and forecourt, took on their current form, to the designs of the

prominent architect Temple Moore.

In the 1940s, South Hill Park housed several institutions, but the C17

enclosed park, the gardens, lakes, carriage drives and productive kitchen

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garden were all maintained until the development of the new town, which had

the greatest impact on the park in its history.

In 1963 South Hill Park was acquired by Bracknell Development Corporation

and in 1973 the house became an arts centre with 15 acres (6 ha) opened as

a public park. The lakes were reduced, Ringmead constructed, car parks

were added, and the new housing areas were built over approximately two

thirds of the area of the original enclosed park and inside the walled garden.

The remaining central third of the park flowed into the surrounding area of the

new town via numerous paths; it was adapted to its new function, the lakes

were adapted again and over the years the planted garden areas were

reduced.

Bracknell Development Corporation was dissolved in 1982, passing housing

to Bracknell District Council which, in 1988, became Bracknell Forest Council.

However some remaining assets, including land at South Hill Park, were

passed to the Commission for the New Towns, which became the

regeneration agency, English Partnerships, in 1999. Eight years later, in

2007, English Partnerships became the Homes and Community Agency.

Ownership of North Park (excluding the North Lake and Balancing Pond) was

transferred over from the Homes and Community Agency to Bracknell Forest

Council in 2010.

The national historic importance of the park was recognised through the

listing on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special

Historic Interest (Grade II) in 1987.

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3. Policy Context

3.1 Planning Status and Designations The Core Strategy to the Local Development Framework (LDF) was adopted

by Bracknell Forest Council in February 2008. Key relevant policies in the

LDF and designations covering the park are summarised below:

3.1.1 Designations: Heritage The CMP provides a comprehensive assessment of the heritage significance

of the park. The principal heritage listings and designations covering features

in the park are given below:

Register of Parks and Gardens

The park is listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of

Special Historic Interest Grade II. This inclusion requires that the Garden

History Society be consulted on any proposed developments.

Listed buildings

There are two listed buildings/structures in the park:

• South Hill Park Mansion is Grade II listed.

• The garden walls, steps, gate piers and gates adjoining the south

eastern edges of the park are also Grade II listed.

Policy CS1 of the Core Strategy states that the Council will continue to protect

its listed buildings, conservation areas, and historic parks and gardens.

Development will be permitted if it protects and enhances the historic and

cultural features of acknowledged importance.

3.1.2 Designations: Parks and Open Spaces In the Bracknell Forest Local Plan (adopted 2002), South Hill Park was

classified as a District Park, but with the potential to perform the role of a

Borough Park.

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Policy CS8 of the Core Strategy states that development will be permitted

which retains, improves and maintains existing recreational facilities

(including parks and open space) and provides and maintains new facilities.

3.2 BFC Parks and Open Spaces Strategy The Council’s current Parks and Open Spaces Strategy was approved by the

Executive Member for Culture Corporate Services and Public Protection on

25 October 2012.

Key objectives are:

A. Provision:

Protect and establish public open space for recreation, play, sport, health,

biodiversity, heritage and climate change mitigation and adaption that is

appropriate to need; strategically located; and adaptable to future

requirements.

B. Maintenance:

Provide safe and welcoming public open space; attain and improve quality

standards.

C. Use and Enjoyment: Make sure public open space supports well-being; encourages participation;

and facilitates social inclusion.

Of greatest importance is sustaining and raising quality standards for parks

and open spaces, together with the provision of facilities that are of a

sufficient size to meet the recreational demands of a growing residential

population. This needs to be achieved in the context of increasing pressure

to reduce public expenditure, alongside encouraging greater community

ownership and involvement.

Core priorities over the next five years include: (this list is not definitive and

will be kept under review)

1. Monitor and assess quality standards across parks and open spaces.

Manage sites to a high standard; carry out improvement works to

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sustain and improve quality in line with the Bracknell Forest Council

‘Plus One Principle’ and relevant national guidance.

2. Maintain Green Flag status for existing award winning parks and attain

additional Green Flag Awards for suitable sites.

3. Encourage the provision of new parks and opens spaces to support

achievement of sustainable development. Create links between existing

parks and open spaces to extend green infrastructure networks.

4. Implement planned improvement works to sites designated as Suitable

Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs) to encourage residents to

visit recreational areas outside of the Thames Basin Heaths Special

Protection Area. Identify opportunities to extend the provision of

SANGs.

5. Manage the restored historic parks of South Hill Park and Lily Hill Park

to a high standard in line with approved management and maintenance

plans.

6. Enhance the natural qualities of parks and open spaces. Protect and

enhance biodiversity. Positively manage trees and woodlands, to

include new planting to provide for future generations.

7. Identify opportunities to increase the positive role that parks and open

spaces can contribute to climate change mitigation (e.g. tree planting as

part of carbon sequestration). Implement appropriate measures in

support of climate change adaption (e.g. ponds and scrapes).

8. Enhance outdoor sport and play provision (including ancillary facilities).

9. Collate data and target actions to meet the needs of new and existing

audiences; to include improving opportunities for potentially under

represented or excluded groups.

10. Support volunteering opportunities within parks and open spaces.

11. Encourage greater community involvement and additional partnership

working between agencies, groups and organisations.

12. Explore commercial opportunities (where compatible with the other

priorities) to provide revenue to support management and maintenance.

Of particular significance to South Hill Park are:

2. submitting an application for Green Flag Award status

5. managing and maintaining the park to a high standard in accordance

with this plan

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6. managing and enhancing the natural qualities of South Hill Park,

including established habitats and new planting

7. positive management and maintenance of site features which contribute

to climate change mitigation and adaption

8. maximising play value; both in terms of dedicated equipment and

natural features

9. delivering audience development plan priorities (including carrying out

regular visitor surveys)

10 & 11.working jointly with Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Arts

Centre and actively involving local people in the management and

maintenance of the park; including through mechanisms such as

‘Friends’, Bracknell Conservation Volunteers, Bracknell Camera Club

and Bracknell Forest Natural History Society

12. working closely with South Hill Park Arts Centre to generate revenue to

support management and maintenance; including by increasing

customers to the Atrium (café and bar), bringing in new audiences to

arts productions and utilising the historic parkland for events

3.3 Bracknell Forest Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2014 The vision is that:

“Bracknell Forest will have a reputation for its distinguished green landscape

and contemporary, vibrant town centre. Contributing to this unique identity

will be many neighbourhoods offering accessible facilities to meet individuals’

needs. Local communities will be strengthened with people feeling safe and

getting on well together. Ensuring everyone has similar opportunities and is

included in public life will enhance confidence in public services. Preserving

our green heritage will be key to the future development of the area,

integrating environmental concerns into all activities. The Borough will have a

prosperous and diverse economy, offering local jobs, personalised public

services and a range of ways to spend leisure time. This is a bold vision for

all of us which will be achieved through nurturing future and existing

generations. A supportive and welcoming borough will help everybody to live

happy, independent and successful lives”.

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The strategy is split into a list of key priorities:

A thriving population:

• Opportunities for everyone

• Nurturing the next generation

• Supporting the older generation

• People who require additional support

A desirable place:

• Sustainable development

• Protecting the environment

• Travelling around the borough

Cohesive communities:

• Engaged and empowered communities

• Enjoying life

• Being and feeling safer

• Sustaining a vibrant economy

3.4 Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023 The BAP has the following aims and objectives:

Aims: To conserve and enhance biodiversity within Bracknell Forest Borough

Objectives:

• Comprehensive Monitoring: of priority species and habitats to inform

decisions

• Proactive Policies: to ensure important sites are protected and get the

best result for biodiversity in development

• Positive Management: to maintain, restore and create key habitats for

wildlife

• Effective Communication: between partners, landowners and the

public to raise awareness, influence actions, encourage partnership,

and inform decisions

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The BAP sets out six Habitat Action Plans (including associated key species)

encompassing grassland; woodland; wetland; heathland; farmland and urban

areas.

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4. Key Site Information

4.1 Site Location and Park Boundaries South Hill Park is located in the Birch Hill area of Bracknell (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1: South Hill Park location map

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Explorer 160, scale 1:25000, by permission

of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

© Crown copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Licence no. AL 100034212.

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Woodland Grass


Figure 2: South Hill Park boundaries (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)

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4.2 Ownership and Leases Figures 3 and 4 summarise current ownership and leasing arrangements for

South Hill Park.

The majority of the land in the South Park (including the house) but excluding

the lakes and the Wilde Theatre is owned by Bracknell Forest Council. South

Hill Park Trust (SHPT) is responsible for the management of the house, car

parks and South Lawns under a leasing arrangement. The Wilde theatre is

owned and managed by the SHPT.

The North Park (excluding the lake and balancing pond) is owned by

Bracknell Forest Council and managed under a sub lease arrangement by

Bracknell Town Council.

The North and South Lakes, Balancing Pond and part of the car park are

owned by Thames Water. This land is leased to BFC under a 99 year

agreement signed in 2009.

A Joint Management Agreement between BFC, BTC and SHPT was signed in

2009. This formalised arrangements under which the three organisations now

manage the grounds as a single entity.

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Figure 3: Land ownership and leases

Thames Water

North Lake, South Lake, and Balancing Pond


South Hill Park and Arts Centre building

South Hill Park Trust

Wilde Theatre

lease

lease lease

Bracknell Town Council South Hill Park Trust

North Park (North Wood, Arts Centre surrounds, Car West Park, part of East Park, Park, Terraces, South Lawn North Lake, Balancing Pond)

and Birch Hill Banks in South Park

Bracknell Herons FishingClub

North Lake fishing rights

North Lakes Estate Management

Part of East Park

lease licence

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� � � � �

N

I SHP Land Ownership and Leases I w+e s

0 50 100 200 Meiers

Thames Waterowned, leased to BFC

BFC owned,leased to BTC

BFC owned

SHPT owned

BFC owned,leased to SHPT


Figure 4: Map of land ownership and leases

Land Ownership and Leases:

Thames Water owned, leased to BFC

BFC owned, leased to BTC

BFC owned

SHPT owned

BFC owned, leased to SHPT

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4.3 Character Areas The 2005 Conservation Management Plan identified 12 landscape character

areas (see Figure 5). These form the basis for the Management Prescriptions

set out later in this MMP.

Figure 5: Landscape character areas (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)

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The park is broadly divided into a northern and southern section by

Ringmead, a local road.

4.3.1 North Park (Character Areas A-E) The northern section of the park combines large areas of open grassland, the

north lake and balancing pond and the woodland, referred to in the CMP as

North Wood. The main area of grassland forming the West Park Character

area is close mown with relatively few mature trees. An avenue of semi

mature ash trees follows the line of the former main access road to the house.

There is a small informal car park on Ringmead.

The North Wood is an area of mature, secondary woodland, with oak, sweet

chestnut, beech, birch and sycamore. Woodland management in recent years

has focused on controlling invasive rhododendron which was swamping

natural regeneration and ground flora. As a result the wood has a fairly open

character. There is a play area located on the southern edges of the wood

which includes provision for teenagers.

The North Lake is predominantly open water with small areas of marginal

vegetation, mainly concentrated at the southern end of the lake. There are a

number of self sown alder, poplar and ash around the lake. The lake is fished

by the Bracknell Herons Angling Club and there are a number of fishing

platforms around the lake itself.

The North Lake drains via an artificial dam into the Balancing Pond which

supports rich swamp/wetland and marshland plant communities, with tall reed

beds and a scrub on the pond edges.

The East Park area combines areas of open grassland with groups of trees,

including the magnificent mature cedar on the higher slopes overlooking the

lake. This is one of a number of cedars which historically encircled the

parkland.

Many areas of grassland in this Character Area are managed as meadow

grassland, which was a recommendation of the CMP.

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The eastern most areas are managed as close mown grass with ornamental

planting.

4.3.2 South Park (Character Areas F-L) The main ‘entrance’ to the park is from Ringmead to the large car park which

serves the Arts Centre and Theatre. The tarmac car park has capacity for

around 200 cars. There is some ornamental planting within the car park and

around the southern areas of the park.

The Arts Centre provides café and toilet facilities in addition to the many

exhibitions and other events held in the building and the theatre.

The formal terraces and Italian Gardens are located to the south and east of

the Arts Centre and there are remnants of the former formal gardens

extending from the Arts Centre towards the South Lake. There is a toddlers

play garden located immediately south east of the Arts Centre. The formal

lawns are maintained as close mown grass and extend south towards the

South Lake.

The land to the east rises gently to the higher ground of Birch Hill Wood. The

wood has a canopy of mature trees including oak, sweet chestnut and beech,

with a dense understorey of rhododendron, bramble and bamboo in many

areas. The central section of the wood around the site of the open air

amphitheatre is more open in character.

The Shrubbery and Birch Hill Wood formed part of the C19 Pleasure Grounds

as described in the CMP. There are a number of magnificent parkland trees

identified as being of significant heritage value in the CMP, both within the

areas of woodland and extending into the immediate surrounding areas.

The South Lake is bordered to the west by a dense shrubbery of

rhododendron, bamboo and holly with a range of mature native and exotic

tree species including oak, sweet chestnut, lime, yew, false acacia and copper

beech. The eastern bank is more open with some marginal and edge

vegetation and areas of scrub and rough grassland. The lake itself is fed from

the culvert at its southern end.

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The western edges of the park are defined by a series of broad grassy

mounds. Within this area there a number of magnificent trees including a rare

evergreen lucombe oak and atlantic cedar. There is a young childrens play

area adjacent to the path which runs from the park to the Birch Hill shopping

area.

The main paths through the park are tarmac and a number are lit. Other

informal routes through the woodland and around the lakes are not surfaced.

The former ice house is located to the east of Birch Hill Wood on one of the

many routes into the park.

The park is bounded by residential development on all sides. To the west is

the centre of Birch Hill, with shopping, health centre, community centre,

schools, car parking and toilets.

There a number of entrance points into the park and all are open. A number

take the form of broad corridors with paths, grassland and trees designed to

flow into the surrounding residential areas.

4.4 Geology and Topography The lower western parts of the park lie on Bagshot (sand) beds; the land rises

to the north and east of the site on Brecklesham (loam) beds. The land rises

by some ten metres between the house and the hill to the south east, with a

similar rise from the north park to the hill in the north east. Areas surrounding

the lakes are near level. There is recent mounding on the boundary of the

current park south west of the house associated with the development of the

new town.

4.5 Hydrology The north and south lakes were established on the line of Glorimor Brook, a

stream which emanates from the broad shallow valley enclosed by Pudding

Hill and Caesars Camp, in Bracknell Forest to the south. The line of the

brook is now largely set in a culvert (part underground). A number of surface

water drains feed into this local system (some flow directly into the lakes) and

these form the principal source of water feeding into the lakes.

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The South Lake is linked to the North Lake via an underground culvert, which

runs beneath the existing car park and Ringmead.

Water flows via an artificial dam and sluice at the northern end of the north

lake into the balancing pond and then via an underground culvert beneath

South Hill Road. The line of the current stream broadly follows that of the

original Brook westwards and flows into Mill Pond on the western edge of

Bracknell.

4.6 Water Bodies A management review of all the water bodies at South Hill Park was

undertaken in October 2012 by John Wenman (Ecological Consultancy) and

Brian Clews (County Ornithological Services).

4.6.1 South Lake (ornamental lake) Following on from the recommendations of the 2005 and 2008 ecology

surveys (summarised in Section 4.7), the landscape restoration work included

de-silting the southern section of the South Lake to enhance its ecological

value. This was completed in November 2010 as part of the Capital Works

programme with the use of specialist equipment (see Figure 6).

Figure 6: South Lake de-silting works

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In order to restore the historic views of the house, a key aspect of the

restoration programme, the artificial island in the South Lake was removed in

early 2013. This island was of concrete construction and supported only

commonly occurring and widespread plant species, especially young willow

which are “of no special ecological importance” (John Wenman & Brian

Clews, 2012). The island had very limited biodiversity value within the lake

ecosystem.

A new artificial floating island was installed in March 2013, supporting native,

emergent vegetation. It was positioned in open water and away from the

historic view to the house.

A new floating fountain was installed in South Lake in March 2013 as part of

the SHP restoration project. This mirrors, as closely as possible, the original

fountain which was in place, with a six metre high single jet of water.

4.6.2 North Lake (fishing lake) The programme of restoration works also included removing waste material

(predominantly tyres and scaffold poles) which formed an island in the North

Lake. This was removed in November 2010. In its place, two artificial,

floating islands were installed in April 2011 and July 2012 respectively, to

enhance the ecological value of the lake.

The islands, supplied by Aquascience, consist of a floating bed which sits to

approximately 50mm below the surface of the water. They have been planted

up with the following species:

Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold

Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond Sedge

Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris

Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife

Mentha aquatica Water Mint

Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass

They have anti-grazing protection in the form of weldmesh cages fitted to the

top to help limit the grazing impact of geese and coots (see Figure 7).

28


Figure 7: Floating island installation in the North Lake

A fish refuge structure, made of 75mm mesh, also sits beneath the island to

reduce the impact of fish losses to bird predation.

Recommendations from the 2012 Management Review to be taken forward

as part of this MMP are:

• Install pre-planted coir rolls and pallets planted with native emergent

vegetation along Lake margins to help reduce erosion.

• Install tree mounted bat boxes on mature trees bordering the lake.

4.6.3 Balancing Pond Initial works to the Balancing Pond area have included scrub clearance,

coppicing and the establishment of a new boardwalk across the marsh.

In February 2013, Aquatic Solutions were brought in to establish an area of

open water in the reed marsh. This was created with the use of a Truxor,

(similar specialist equipment to that used in the de-silting works). Open water

creates a valuable habitat which will be protected and maintained away from

the boardwalk. This area was further extended in January 2017.

29


Recommendations from the 2012 Management Review to be taken forward

as part of this MMP are:

• Rotational coppicing and selective removal of willow growth within the

centre of the Balancing Pond.

• Retain taller and denser tree cover around pond margins to reduce

likelihood of visitors/dogs entering the area. Selective rotational

coppicing also to be carried out in this area.

4.7 Ecology Phase 1 Habitat Surveys of the park were undertaken in 2005 (Land

Management Services) and 2008 (John Wenman Ecological Consultancy).

The 2005 and 2008 surveys were consistent in their findings with regard to

the value of the site and opportunities to enhance ecological interest through

management. Both surveys confirmed the status of South Hill Park as being

of predominantly local ecological interest. The main ecological value of the

park lies in the varied range of habitats across the park (woodland, grassland,

wetland and open water).

The recommendations of the surveys informed the preparation of the Stage 2

Masterplan and a number have already been adopted in the management

and maintenance of the park.

The ecological interest of the park is summarised in the July 2005 survey as

follows:

“The park consists mainly of improved grassland and secondary woodland of

local ecological value.

There are two habitats of some ecological significance within the park these

are the swamp filled balancing pond and a small fragment of short acidic

grassland (located on the lawns to the south of the Arts Centre).

The park is likely to support a range of protected species.

These include:

• populations of amphibians especially near the balancing pond,

30


• small numbers of reptiles in rough, open vegetation,

• numerous species of common birds (protected during the nesting

season).”

The 2005 survey also notes that the old culverts within the car park may

provide suitable hibernation sites for bats and that the habitats across the

park will provide “good feeding grounds for many common species of bats”.

Management and maintenance practices aim to increase the range of

habitats and wildlife interest wherever possible. Examples of this are given

below with the grassland, wildflower meadow and woodland habitats.

Grassland and Wildflower Meadow

The frequency of mowing grassland in the East Park Character Area has

been much reduced, with late summer cuts carried out. This regime was

introduced following the 2005 Ecology Survey. Both the 2005 and 2008

surveys also recommend that less frequent mowing is adopted on all

woodland edges.

In Autumn 2011, a wildflower meadow was established in the East Park area.

The grass on the hill slope was cut and removed and then power harrowed to

prepare the ground. It was then sown with a Clay/Acid Meadows Wildflower

mix consisting of the species listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Clay/acid meadow wildflower mix

% Mix Name Common Name

10 Galium verum Lady’s Bedstraw

10 Prunella vulgaris Self Heal

9 Centaurea nigra Lesser Knapweed

8 Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

7 Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle

7 Vicia sativa Common Vetch

6 Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy

31


6 Rumex acetosa Sorrel

5 Malva moschata Musk Mallow

5 Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup

2 Achillea millefolium Yarrow

1 Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill

1 Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling

1 Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin

1 Stachys officinalis Betony

(Source: Charles Flower Wildflowers www.charlesflower-wildflowers.co.uk)

This area is cut only once a year (in autumn), to provide maximum

opportunity for species biodiversity in this area (see Figure 8). Yellow rattle

can reduce the vigour of grasses, giving wildflower species a better chance to

compete for space and light.

Figure 8: View south across wildflower meadow, just after annual cut

32

http://www.charlesflower-wildflowers.co.uk/


Woodland

Management to control rhododendron and coppice understorey is carried out

in the woodland areas on a regular basis.

Figure 9: Rhododendron ponticum in Birch Hill Wood, much reduced after

controlled management.

The 2005 CMP highlights the heritage significance of Birch Hill Wood and the

Shrubbery Character areas as part of the C19 Pleasure Grounds. The

recommendations to extend the cyclical management of the woodlands, have

been adapted from those set out in the 2005 MMP to place greater emphasis

on achieving a balance between heritage and biodiversity in Birch Hill Wood

and the Shrubbery:

• Further Rhododendron surveys of the Birch Hill Wood and Shrubbery

Character Areas will inform future management (see Section 4.10). It

is important to identify desirable species and hybrids as distinct from

Rhododendron ponticum which is invasive.

• Understorey management principally to control the spread of

Rhododendron ponticum and bamboo and to maintain key views, with

all areas treated on a minimum five year cycle.

33


• Selective felling to create natural glades or clearings within the

woodlands to encourage natural regeneration.

• Programme for the replacement of important historic/veteran trees lost

to storm damage or disease (mainly Birch Hill Wood and Shrubbery).

• Management of woodland and path edge vegetation to create more

open character – retention of denser areas of understorey vegetation

within selected areas of the woods.

• Retention of standing and fallen dead timber (where this is safe) as a

habitat for invertebrates, birds and fungi.

• Cyclical management of selected areas of understorey vegetation e.g.

area of hazel coppice.

• Put forward the South Hill Park woodlands as a Local Nature Reserve

in order to contribute to the Borough Woodland and Scrub Habitat

Action Plan Target to establish seven woodland LNRs.

4.8 Formal Planting The restoration work has included a series of beds designed with formal

planting, mainly sited in the high profile areas of the park, around the Arts

Centre building. These include the Italian Gardens, Secret Garden, Rose

Courtyard, Yew Walk, Play Area, Western Entrance, Terrace Beds, Mansion

Beds, Front Courtyard and the Car Park area.

4.9 Trees A heritage tree survey was carried out as part of the 2005 CMP (see Figure

10). The survey identified approximately 100 significant trees within the park,

of which 27% were thought to have been planted before 1800 and a further

32% planted between 1800 and 1850. Parkland trees are a significant

feature of the site and extend into the surrounding residential areas.

The 2005 Heritage Tree Survey highlights the predominance of significant

trees in the South Park. This has informed the prescriptions for the

management of woodlands (principally Character Areas A, K and J) described

in the Sections below.

A full Tree Condition Survey was completed in December 2008 by CBA

Trees. This examined 128 individual trees and several smaller groups, with

34

SOUTH HILL PARK: SHP/S/05 TREE SURVEY See tree schedule SHP/T/03 for details Q Tree shown on 1871 Ordnance Survey

Q Tree shown in 1871 which may date from late C18

scale 1 :4000 at A3


Figure 10: Heritage tree survey, showing reference to character areas (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)

35


comments on their structural condition and recommendations for

management.

A more detailed Tree Survey was carried out in February 2012 by Simon

Holmes of Tree Surveys (Reading, Berkshire). This looked at a very small

number of mature trees which were showing signs of decay, and as a result

of the survey, most of these have since been felled.

A further full Tree Condition Survey was completed in June/July 2014 by

Simon Holmes of Tree Surveys (Reading, Berkshire) which covered 145

individual trees and 24 groups of trees across north and south sides of the

park. This survey sets out further recommendations for the protection, care

and management of the tree stock in the park.

4.10 Rhododendrons A preliminary walkover survey of the park was undertaken by Michael Lear of

Lear Associates in early 2009 (Appendix 1). This noted that the majority of

the rhododendrons in the park are R. ponticum, although there was some

evidence of hybridity with R. maximum and R. catawbiense.

Further research should to be undertaken to establish if there is any further

historical significance of the Rhododendrons in the park. These findings will

inform the long term management of the Birch Hill Woods and Shrubbery

Character Areas in the park.

4.11 The Arts Centre South Hill Park Arts Centre is an exciting and vibrant, multi-purpose arts

centre. The annual programme of performing arts offers a huge variety of

theatrical, dance, drama, opera, comedy and music performances by leading

local, national and international professional artists and talented amateur

groups. Patrons of South Hill Park Arts Centre include Sir Kenneth Branagh,

Sir Andrew Motion and Kate Winslet.

It is home to two theatres, a cinema, seven gallery spaces, the Café Atrium,

three bars, six art studios, dance studio, digital media centre, recital room and

a creative control recording studio.

36


A key part of the Arts Centre remit is to support and commission new work

across the arts, from both established and emerging artists.

South Hill Park also offers a rich and varied programme of creative courses

and workshops across art, music, drama, dance, digital media and literature.

These include workshops for all ages and abilities, from taster sessions to

master classes.

The galleries host many exhibitions a year across the seven spaces, showing

the work of local, national and international contemporary artists in a wide

range of media. All gallery spaces are free for the public to look around at

any time.

The Arts Centre also offers free parking, reception, café and toilet facilities for

the visiting public, and provides office space for the Heritage Parks Manager

and Gardeners on site.

37

5.1 A Welcoming Place The overall impression for someone approaching and entering the site should

be positive and inviting.

Features of particular importance are:

good and safe access

effective signage to and in the park

the principle of ‘something for everyone’

equal access for all


5. Site Description and Green Flag Analysis

5.1.1 Access South Hill Park is accessible by a variety of different transport methods.

Bracknell is well served by both train and bus links from London Waterloo,

Reading and several towns in the surrounding area.

A local bus service stops at the edge of the park at the nearby supermarkets -

Birch Hill Aldi and Birch Hill Sainsbury’s and near the northern play area.

This has an estimated travelling time of ten minutes from Bracknell bus and

train stations in the centre of town.

South Hill Park has free parking available for 224 cars, and provides an

additional ten disabled car parking spaces very close to the main entrance of

the park and Arts Centre building (with café, toilet and information facilities).

The park is very well signposted from the town centre and all major road

access points.

South Hill Park also has provision for bicycle parking. Designated cycle routes

run directly up to and through the park itself (see Figure 11), again clearly

signposted to South Hill Park.

38

Cycleways 2003 -- Purpose Built Cyclew ay

-- Shared Footpath/Cyc leway

+ 1:6,500 N.B. South Hill Park shown

with black boundary line

South Hill Park - Cycleways

0 62.5 125 250 -- 375 500 Meters

This Map is reproduced from Ord nance Survey Material with the permissio n of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the

Controll er of Her Majesty' s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthori sed reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may

lead to prosecut ion or civ il proceedings. Bracknell Forest Borough Counci l LA 100019488.


39

Figure 11: Cycle route network through South Hill Park


Pedestrian access is available at a wide variety of points throughout the park,

as shown on the map in Figure 18.

Main access points are accessible by wheelchair and careful consideration

has been given to this throughout the park’s restoration work. Secondary

pedestrian entrances to the park are marked by specially designed ‘welcome’

signs.

The main entrance area is well lit at night and streetlights line the smaller

pedestrian entrances which border the neighbouring housing developments.

A key element of the restoration work was to increase the pedestrian flow

between the northern and southern sections of the park. Significant highway

improvements have been made to reduce the speed of local traffic and to

create a central, safe crossing point for pedestrians; coloured road

resurfacing to show drivers they are entering and leaving the park

environment; and the creation of the stone gateway features which help to

give identify to the park and increase the unity across north and south areas.

The Western entrance is a significant access point as it is a key route into the

park from the main car park. The restoration work has opened this up and

upgraded the entrance with a new path network and ornamental planting.

Several new paths have been installed around both north and south sides of

the park which have greatly increased disabled access around the park. This

includes new ramped access to the terrace behind the Arts Centre, giving

direct access to the café, toilets and formal planting in this area. A further

small path was installed in the Birch Hill Woods area in February 2013 to

enable even greater access for mobility scooters in this area. Handrails have

been fitted along stepped pedestrian entrances. South Hill Park also features

on the Disabled Go website with a full access guide for disabled visitors.

The Arts Centre is open Monday - Saturday 9am - 11pm, Sunday and Bank

Holidays 11-10.30pm. The park is open 24 hours a day and has free access

to all.

40

Exhibitions


5.1.2 Signage A new main entrance sign has been installed to clearly identify and welcome

people to the park (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Main entrance sign

Another important signage feature included in the restoration work was the

creation of a new map of the park. This was then reproduced in the form of a

glass sculpture by a prominent artist (Lucy Strachan), and installed in a high

profile part of the park - the Rose Garden (see Figure 13). This is close to the

café, toddler’s play garden, western entrance and the Arts Centre building

itself, and is well positioned to show visitors their current location, the extent

of the park, and the starting point for the four new walking trails which have

been created.

Fitzpatrick Woolmer completed work on a directional signage strategy for

South Hill Park in 2013 with the aim of providing a holistic approach to site

identity. New signs were installed in September 2013 throughout the car park

to improve pedestrian and vehicular flow. The white lining in the car park was

updated in November 2018 to further assist with vehicular flow.

41


Figure 13: Visitor map of South Hill Park

Five notice boards were also installed across north and south sides of the site

to help ensure key messages are regularly passed on to the visiting public.

They display ‘What’s On’ information, introduction to the park, how it is

managed, upcoming events, volunteer information, website details, contact

details for emergency assistance etc.

The welcome signs and waymarkers for the walking trails were an artist-led

project, designed by Lucy Strachan and Fred Baier, working closely with local

residents and park users. These were installed in 2012 (see Figure 14).

Welcome signs were installed at the main pedestrian access points

throughout the north and south sides of the park. These serve an important

purpose of helping to establish the identity of the park at its boundaries,

where it lies adjacent to residential housing and incidental land.

42


The waymarkers are similar in design, and help to guide visitors around the

four walking trails which cover both north and south sides of the park.

Figure 14: Waymarkers for walking trails

5.1.3 Overall Design and Impression - ‘Something for Everyone’ The main park entrance on Ringmead was upgraded with the restoration work

that took place 2010-2012. It is an inviting space, with interesting sculpture

and restored historic features, such as the main gates (see Figures 15 and

16).

Figure 15: Main gates in front courtyard

43


Careful consideration has been given to planting in the main entrance area,

with new shrubs, herbaceous plants and many new trees. These work

together to soften the hard landscaping and create a very welcoming

environment for visitors both to the park and Arts Centre.

Figure 16: Front courtyard planting and sculpture

Children are well catered for within the park with three separate play areas

across the site, each aimed at a different age group, from toddlers right

through to teenagers.

Elderly people are also well catered for, with several benches strategically

placed around the park offering both quiet contemplation and an opportunity

for rest.

Dogs are welcome on site, although encouraged to be kept on a lead around

the terrace/café area and around the lakes.

Storage and operational areas are screened from view with beech hedging.

44


5.1.4 A Welcoming Place – Key Action Points

• Maintenance of shrub borders at entrances near the residential areas -

shrubs are to be kept well pruned back to allow good visibility and

access to the park and do not obscure street lighting.

• Extend ornamental planting to other pedestrian entrances to create a

more welcoming feel to the park.

• Ensure signage and interpretation is kept well maintained, clean and

clearly visible at all times.

• Ensure paths are kept well maintained, clean and free of any potential

trip hazards.

45

5.2 Healthy, Safe and Secure The park or green space must be a healthy, safe and secure place for all

members of the community to use. Relevant issues must be addressed in

management plans and implemented on the ground. New concerns which

arise must be addressed promptly and appropriately. Particularly important

are the:

• appropriate provision of quality facilities and activities which are safe

for all to use

• the park must be a safe and secure place for all members of the

community to use

• control of dogs and dog fouling

• health and safety policies should be in place, in practice and reviewed

• toilets, drinking water, first aid, public telephones and emergency

equipment where relevant (e.g. lifebelts by water) should be available

on or near the site and clearly signposted


5.2.1 Health and Well Being The four new walking trails around the park have proved very popular with the

public and also help with promoting healthy living (Figure 17).

Ranger guided walks, three different play areas for children, and cycle trail

links also help to encourage regular activity.

The park is also often used for sporting activities by local groups, such as

football, personal fitness instructors and Tai Chi.

Two of the children’s play areas have recently been upgraded and receive

very regular use by the public. The equipment is imaginative and interesting,

for example the sound cushions in the toddler’s play area have proved to be

particularly popular.

46

map and key

0 Rose Garden (Start/finish)

f) YewWalk

9 Toddler's play area

G Sculpture " Bull at the Gate"

9 Arts centre e Sculpture "Totem "

@ Italian Garden

C, HolmOak

8 Wellington ia Seat

G Sculpture "Gravity XII"

Q> Sculpture " Ripple Wall"

48 Footbridge

-- Play area and skate park

I> Car Park

48 Sculpture " Rings of Pachamama"

«; Ash Avenue

• Wetland boardwalk

e Northern play area

Wilde Wander 1.1 Km ~

-•-Unsurfaced path &., Haversham Hike

1.1 Km <:C? &., Temple Trail

0.6 Km a '-"'lau-'>lvl I J

6


Figure 17: Four walking trails around South Hill Park (Source: Walking Trails Leaflet, 2014)

5.2.2 Safety and Security Care and consideration is always given to the Health & Safety at Work Act

(1974) for all people on site including staff, volunteers, contractors and of

course, members of the public.

47


Bracknell Forest Council has a Health and Safety Policy Statement which

guides normal work procedures.

Records of any health and safety incidents are kept both electronically and in

paper form (in a locked cabinet) and reported through to relevant advisors

within Bracknell Forest Council on a regular basis.

Staff are present out in the grounds at South Hill Park almost every day

during the week, and the Arts Centre building is staffed seven days a week

including Bank Holidays.

Parks staff are readily identifiable in Bracknell Forest Council - Parks and

Countryside uniform and always have mobile telephone contact with other

members of staff. Garden staff have a very positive relationship with many

regular park users, including dog walkers. All park grounds staff have an

enhanced CRB check and are trained in safeguarding children and vulnerable

adults.

CCTV covers key, high profile areas, including the car park to help ensure

public safety.

Trees and shrubs along pathways, especially at the park entrances, are

carefully monitored and pruned back, to open up views and help to create a

safer environment.

Entrances are well lit and local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s)

regularly patrol the park, and have a very good and informative relationship

with all park staff.

5.2.3 Facilities Regular audits and six monthly site inspections are made for all equipment

and facilities to ensure they are safe and secure e.g. children’s play area

48


equipment, life buoys for the lakes (Appendix 2). Any structure deemed

unsafe should be cordoned off to prevent public access.

Toilets and fresh drinking water are available in the Arts Centre building (see

Figure 18). Additional toilets are available at the nearby Birch Hill

neighbourhood centre.

First Aid is available at the Arts Centre reception, and garden staff are First

Aid trained and always have a First Aid kit in the vehicle used on site.

5.2.4 Dogs Dogs are welcomed at South Hill Park and the area is very popular with many

local dog walkers.

Bracknell Forest Council takes a proactive approach to responsible dog

ownership and in 2013 produced a leaflet especially for dog owners/dog

walkers, detailing a code of conduct. This is also available on the Bracknell

Forest Council website and promoted by all members of staff.

Certain areas of the park are designated dog-free zones - including the

toddler’s play area on the South Lawn, the play area in the Birch Hill Banks

area, both North and South Lake, and the reed marsh. Dogs are encouraged

to be on-lead on the terrace at the back of the Arts Centre and near the café

at all times.

Bracknell Town Council adopted Dog Control Orders in June 2014 to help

promote responsible dog ownership. These require dogs to be on lead

around the North Lake and reed marsh, and prohibit dogs from entering either

body of water.

In 2018 Bracknell Town Council are implemented a ‘traffic light’ system of

coloured paw prints on the main paths to indicate areas where dogs should be

on or off lead. This has been well received by members of the public and the

local dog walking community.

49

Site access points � Pall> network

Art's Centre toilets. cafe . reception

Play area

Car park

Ringmead road

Areas of tree cover

Water

0 50 100

,ee, __ ...., __ _.., _ .. ""'

lOO~• !w- IOXl1114lo6

200 Meters

South Hill Park Facilities North Side


Figure 18a: Park facilities

50

70 140 Meter,;

South Hill Park Facilities South Side

CnMT1 mp-Jf1'1tt an:1 4.at!bas~ ~ ~12 Cfltl ~ I\~ 1CWIMOO

� Path network � Art's Centre toillets , cafe , reception

Pl!ay area

Car park

Ringmead road

Areas of tree cover

water

• Site access po'ints


Figure 18b: Park facilities

51

0


5.2.5 Healthy, Safe and Secure – Key Action Points

• Continue to promote walks and physical activities within the park,

encouraging members of the public to lead a healthy lifestyle.

• Continue regular audit and monitoring of site equipment and facilities,

and feed any resulting issues into work programme.

• Continue regular monitoring and safety checks of children’s play

areas.

• Maintain record of any incident reports and ensure regular review.

• Ensure emergency assistance continues to be available to members of

the public (through Arts Centre reception, and grounds staff on site),

and contact details are also distributed via the website and notice

boards on site.

52

5.3 Well Maintained and Clean For aesthetic as well as health and safety reasons issues of cleanliness and

maintenance must be addressed, in particular:

litter and other waste management issues must be adequately dealt

with

grounds, buildings, equipment and other features must be well

maintained

a policy on litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in place, in

practice and regularly reviewed


5.3.1 Litter and Waste Management Combined litter and dog waste bins have been strategically placed around

both north and south sides of the park. They are emptied approximately three

times a week (or as required) by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town

Council and Arts Centre staff. During the summer months, the most used

bins are emptied on a daily basis.

Litter from the grounds is taken off site as quickly as possible by Bracknell

Town Council and the BFC contractor, Ringway (in accordance with relevant

regulations). Any litter generated by the Arts Centre/café is skipped on site

and removed by contractors as often as necessary. This storage area is

easily accessible from the main car park, and the area has been screened off

with beech hedging, to help ensure it remains out of sight.

Additional mobile bins are brought out for major festivals and events, when

large crowds are expected. The local Scout group, a small group of local

residents and other volunteers have all been involved with litter collection

across the site, either post large events or on an ad-hoc basis (see Figure

19).

Horticultural waste is composted off site, alongside the gardener’s storage

area, located at Birch Hill Recreation Ground. Root areas of mature trees are

mulched using chippings to help alleviate compaction.

53


Figure 19: Community litter picking event at South Hill Park

5.3.2 Maintenance of Facilities Path surfaces are divided into three main categories – hard surfaces, such as

yorkstone and spray and chip, are used for the most accessible and highest

profiles path networks. A new network of Cedec paths (self-binding gravel)

have been installed throughout the site for the intermediate access areas, and

more informal paths are used through the woodland areas. These will be

maintained according to the annual work plan, as detailed in Section 8.2 of

this management and maintenance plan.

All infrastructure and facilities on site are regularly monitored and audited in

the six monthly site inspections (Appendix 2). Any remedial work required is

then programmed in to a regular cycle of maintenance. Urgent issues are

dealt with immediately.

The children’s play areas are monitored on a weekly basis and also inspected

by independent specialists annually, with biannual inspections for the toddler’s

play garden.

54


5.3.3 Maintenance of the Grounds High horticultural standards are expected at all times and care is taken to

ensure that the park is kept well maintained and looking its best throughout

the year.

This management and maintenance plan sets out a clear annual work plan,

with specific tasks programmed in season by season, to ensure that the

highest horticultural standards are maintained (see Section 8.2).

5.3.4 Maintenance of Machinery and Equipment Horticultural equipment and machinery is only used by trained personnel, with

appropriate PPE used at all times.

Vehicles and machinery are serviced regularly and stored in a secure

container.

Risk assessments are kept up-to-date and available at all times for all users

in the office at South Hill Park (and electronically).

5.3.5 Site Cleanliness Several policies within Bracknell Forest Council describe monitoring

procedures and key standards required for cleanliness within the borough’s

Parks and Open Spaces. These include:

• Cleaner Borough Group Action Plan

• Community Safety Partnership Plan

• Parks and Open Spaces Strategy

Cleaner Borough Group Action Plan

Bracknell Forest Council has developed a Cleaner Borough Group Action

Plan which has set priorities and actions for “Protecting and enhancing our

environment” and “Creating a Borough where people are, and feel safe”.

This plan sets out guidance for dealing with Environmental Anti-Social

Behaviour (ASB) such as abandoned vehicles, fly tipping, litter, dog fouling,

graffiti, flyposting etc. Any such issues are reported through CADIS

(Community Nuisance and Disorder Information System), a council database

55


which is used to record and monitor these statistics. Appropriate enforcement

action is taken in all cases where proper evidence is obtained.

Community Safety Partnership Plan

Bracknell Forest Council also has a Community Safety Partnership Plan

which publishes a three year plan, updated annually, setting out ways to

make the community a safer environment in which to live. Priority ten within

this plan covers Environmental Anti-Social Behaviour and aims to “reduce

Environmental ASB generally, as well as give particular attention to the key

ASB categories as identified by CADIS”.

Parks and Open Spaces Strategy

The Bracknell Forest Council Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2012) sets

guidance for grades of cleanliness, using those defined in the Code of

Practice on Litter and Refuse issued under section 89(7) of the Environmental

Protection Act (1990) as published by DEFRA. The aspirational target for

Parks and Open Spaces is Grade A – No litter or refuse, with the specified

minimum requirement for BFC being Grade B – Predominantly free of litter

and refuse apart from some small items.

Within the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, Bracknell Forest Council also

set out Quality Assessment Criteria (Appendix 3). These core quality criteria

are routinely covered in the six monthly site inspections, and much more

frequently as part of the regular visual inspections which take place on site.

The incidence of graffiti at South Hill Park has noticeably reduced since the

restoration work, which is a very positive result. Any graffiti found on site is

removed immediately by park staff where possible, or alternatively through

Ringway (the BFC street cleansing contractor) or other specialist contractors

(e.g. Community Clean) for graffiti on historic/listed buildings.

Fly posting has occasionally occurred at the park, but is only a minor issue

and any notices found are removed immediately by staff on site.

Dog walkers are generally very responsible about picking up and disposing of

dog mess.

56


The Bracknell Forest Council leaflet, detailing the dog walkers code of

conduct, also encourages all dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.

Bracknell Forest Council also organise a regular event, Paws in the Park,

which is held to promote responsible dog ownership and provide educational

material about dog fouling and control. The event has proved very popular in

the past with high attendance rates. Local dog related businesses and

charities hold stalls on site, along with displays from search and rescue dog

charities and obstacle courses for agility competitions. This event has been

held at South Hill Park for the last 4 years, and as a result of its success is

due to be held at South Hill Park again in August 2019.

Staff presence on site also has a positive impact on the incidence of dog

fouling, litter and graffiti etc. and it is important that this is maintained along

with regular inspections and monitoring.

Two Environment Wardens, employed by Bracknell Town Council complete

regular inspections of the site. They also work closely with local schools to

provide ongoing education and information to younger members of the

community.

5.3.6 Key Action Points

• Organise further litter picks at South Hill Park involving the local

community, volunteers, youth groups etc.

• Use chippings to mulch trees whenever possible.

• Continue regular audits and monitoring of all equipment and facilities

within the park, and feed this into work programming.

• Continue to report any incidents and ensure regular review.

• Regular monitoring of staff training to ensure up to date and fully

trained on all equipment using on site.

• Regular maintenance and servicing of vehicles and machinery.

Records kept on file and review dates in place.

• Ensure all risk assessments are up to date and regularly reviewed.

Next review dates are in place.

57


• Ensure educational information is available to the public via notice

boards and websites e.g. trails leaflet, dog owners code of conduct,

barbeques within the park etc.

• Monitor and report major incidents to CADIS database.

• Promote Paws in the Park Event to South Hill Park visitors.

58

5.4 Environmental Management Methods used in maintaining the green space and its facilities should be

environmentally sound, relying on best practice according to current

knowledge. Park managers should be aware of the range of techniques

available to them, and demonstrate that informed choices have been made

and are regularly reviewed. Specifically:

an environmental policy or charter and management strategy should

be in place, in practice, and regularly reviewed

pesticide use should be minimised and justified

horticultural peat use should be eliminated

waste plant material generated in the park should be recycled

high horticultural and arboricultural standards should be demonstrated

energy conservation, pollution reduction, waste recycling and resource

conservation measures should be used


5.4.1 Environmental Management Bracknell Forest Council has developed a Carbon Management Plan (2009)

and a Climate Change Action Plan (2016). The main contribution parks and

open spaces make within these plans are mitigation and adaptation. These

include the following:

• Reduce the risk of surface flooding.

• Encourage the public to have environmentally friendly gardens which

reduce the need for water usage.

• Improve water supply and retention to trees, to reduce the impact of

warmer summers and droughts.

• Adapt horticultural maintenance programmes e.g. greater use of

mulch, and soil improvement techniques.

• Plan for the impact of climate change with species selection, habitat

conservation and migration in mind.

• Plant trees to provide shade.

5.4.2 Chemical Use Mechanical methods of weeding, such as hand weeding and hoeing, are by

far the most preferred method of controlling weeds and used whenever

possible. Contact herbicides are used only when absolutely necessary,

59


particularly on persistent, perennial weeds such as Japanese Knotweed,

bamboo and Rhododendron ponticum.

The first priority for pest and disease control at South Hill Park is the use of

best horticultural practice - using cultural techniques of plant hygiene, soil

maintenance and purchasing good quality plants. Pesticides are only used in

exceptional circumstances.

5.4.3 Materials Peat based products are not used at South Hill Park and every effort is made

to ensure all third parties, such as contractors working on site, work to this

standard as well. Contractors involved in the restoration work gave specific

agreement that peat based products would not be used.

5.4.4 Resource Conservation and Waste Management Bracknell Forest Council has published a Sustainable Procurement Guide

(2011) which sets out guidance for resource conservation and waste

management.

This encourages rethinking the need for the goods in the first instance,

reducing the need, recycling where possible, energy recovery and end of life

management options.

Locally sourced products are used whenever feasible. Most of the wood used

in the restoration project was sourced from the UK and a large amount was

also sourced within the local Bracknell Forest area. The boardwalk over the

Balancing Pond Character Area (see Figure 20) included wood from nearby

Lily Hill Park. The benches in the Birch Hill Wood Character Area (see Figure

21) were created from wood sourced from South Hill Park.

5.4.5 Recycling South Hill Park Arts Centre has a good programme of recycling in place -

providing facilities for recycling paper, cardboard, glass, cans from the café,

terrace and Arts Centre offices. A new recycling bin has also been installed in

the grounds to encourage the public to recycle any waste generated from

their visit to the park.

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Figure 20: Boardwalk over the Balancing Pond

Figure 21: Bench in the Birch Hill Woodland character area

Horticultural waste is recycled so that compost can be made on site. Leaf

litter is also planned for collection in small areas to generate leaf mould for

use on site.

61


5.4.6 Horticultural Management Every effort is made to ensure newly planted trees thrive on site, especially in

their early, most vulnerable years. The importance of this is built into the

annual work plan (see Section 8.2), which ensures regular checks are made

on tree ties and stakes, removal of competitive weed growth, irrigation and

mulch.

Wherever it is safe to do so, dead wood is left standing in the woodland areas

on both the north and south sides of the park. Monoliths and logs piles are

favoured as an excellent habitat for invertebrates and other wildlife and are

actively encouraged (see Figure 22, and Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.11).

Figure 22: Decayed monolith cut and left for habitat development

5.4.7 Pollution Reduction Chemicals are stored in a secure, waterproof, fire-proof, chemical container.

Data sheets on all chemicals stored are maintained in the same container for

staff access at all times. All site based South Hill Park grounds staff are fully

trained in the use of chemicals with PA1 & PA6 certification.

5.4.8 Water Efficiency Where possible planting schemes are deliberately designed around the use of

drought tolerant plants. This helps to ensure irrigation requirements are kept

62


to a minimum. Turf areas are not watered at South Hill Park, unless a new

lawn is being established or seed has been put down.

5.4.9 Energy Efficiency Vehicles and machinery are programmed into a regular cycle of maintenance

and are regularly serviced to ensure they are working at optimum efficiency

(see Section 8.2). Machinery is always turned off whenever not in use.


• Research into possible schemes for recycling litter collected from the

grounds, especially after large events.

• Develop interpretation around water conservation and the use of

drought tolerant plants etc. which the public can implement in their

gardens at home.

• Establish the use of TreeGators (or similar) to improve irrigation supply

to young trees.

• Develop interpretation around the role of dead standing wood,

monoliths and wildlife habitats in key areas of the woodland.

63

5.5 Biodiversity, landscape and heritage Particular attention should be paid to the conservation and appropriate

management of:

natural features, wildlife and flora

landscape features

buildings and structural features

These features should serve their function well without placing undue

pressure on the surrounding environment.


A Conservation Management Plan was published for South Hill Park in

November 2005 by Bracknell Forest Council and Land Management Services

in preparation for the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration application.

5.5.1 Natural Features, Wildlife and Flora An ecological survey of the park was completed in June 2005, as part of the

preparation of the Conservation Management Plan. The park is

predominantly of local ecological interest with its main value lying in the range

of habitats across the park (woodland, specimen trees, grassland, wetland

and open water). The two habitats of greatest ecological significance are the

balancing pond in the north of the park, and a small area of short acidic

grassland on the fringes of the lawn to the south (see Sections 4.6 to 4.9).

This management and maintenance plan sets out proposals for ensuring all

habitats are maintained and managed to conserve their unique value. See

annual management and maintenance plan in Section 8.2 and the long term

aims for the Character Areas set out in Sections 8.1.

Contractors completing the restoration work operated in accordance with an

agreed Wildlife Protection Plan which set out appropriate timings for work to

be complete in sensitive areas such as the lakes, balancing pond and

woodland in order to avoid key nesting and hibernation periods.

The paths installed in Birch Hill Woods are of no-dig construction (see Figures

23 and 24) which are installed above ground level to ensure there is minimal

disturbance to tree roots by the works. This surfacing also allows for water

64

~---------Timber board - see drawing 50016601 -401/ Detail 06

'/"_,,T'i71,"'..,'"}"",;,,"' "ii"'.,,"" .,,~,;;,;;.,_r---- 50mm CEDE C Gold Footpath Gravel, 6-0mm , , graded

·bd&,,d/;.~~#---- 100 mm free draining, non-compactable granular mater ial - excluding limestone

1-- --1-- _,__ _____ Geogrid 2-dimensional load spreader

Sealed Gravel Footpath - NO-DIG construction Scale: 1:10@A1


infiltration and gaseous diffusion to take place, which will assist tree growth

and prevent excess water runoff or erosion.

Figure 23: Construction plan of no-dig path

Figure 24: No-dig path through the woodland

A bat survey was completed on site in August 2007 by John Wenman

Ecological Consultancy.

Common pipistrelle bats were recorded regularly foraging around the trees in

the survey area (Birch Hill Wood – Character Area K). The survey also notes

that “the woodland areas in the grounds of South Hill Park and the two large

lakes, North and South Lake, provide significant potential foraging habitat for

bats”.

65


A number of bat boxes have been installed on site (see Figure 25), and this

provision of secure breeding spaces should help to ensure their continued

survival in the area.

Figure 25: Bat boxes in the woodland

5.5.2 Landscape Features The Conservation Management Plan (2005) gives considerable detail on the

historic cultural landscape at South Hill Park. It identifies several surviving

historic landscape features throughout the park including:

• Parts of the original C17 park boundary

• Woodland dating from C17-18

• Tree clumps and belts largely from C18

• Ornamental ‘pleasure ground’ from early C19

66


• Mixed shrubbery from early C19

• North embankment of South Lake from early C19

• Carriage drives from mid C19

• Terrace gardens from late C19

• Site of waterfalls on South Lake from late C19

Conservation and management of these areas is described in Sections 8.1

and 8.2.

Several of the key historic vistas are also identified in the CMP and the

management programme across the site will ensure these are retained.

5.5.3 Buildings and Structural Features The South Hill Park Mansion (Arts Centre building) is a listed building Grade

II. The park itself is designated Grade II under the English Heritage Register

of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The garden walls, steps,

gate piers and gates adjoining South Hill Park on the east (see Figure 26) are

also listed Grade II.

The restoration work has been sympathetic to the 18th Century historical

features and careful consideration has been given to all historic features (e.g.

paint colour palette), path materials, facilities and planting.

Section 8.2 gives detail on the maintenance schedule in place to manage the

built environment, including the new path network, gate piers, walls, steps,

park furniture etc.

There are several sculptures throughout the grounds at South Hill Park –

• ‘Gravity XII’ by Barry Mason (1980)

• ‘Ripple Wall’ by William Pye (1982)

• ‘Untitled’ by John Clarke (1982)

67


Figure 26: Terrace piers overlooking South Lawn

• ‘Totem’ by Robert Carruthers (c.1986-88)

• ‘Bull’ by Marcel Baettig (1995)

• ‘Rings of Pachamama’ by Lucy Strachan (2012)

and these have also been included in the restoration work plan.

William Pye’s ‘Ripple Wall’ in the South Lake was restored in September

2012 (see Figure 27), and ‘Gravity XII’ and ‘Totem’ were restored during

2013.

On health and safety grounds, the ‘Untitled’ sculpture by John Clarke

(positioned near the South Lake) was removed in June 2015.

68


Figure 27: Ripple Wall by William Pye, South Lake


• Water bodies to be managed and maintained in accordance with the

recommendations set out in the Management Review by John

Wenman Ecological Consultancy (see Sections 8.1.4, 8.1.5 and 8.1.9)

• Install further bat and owl boxes in appropriate locations on site.

• Install hibernation niches for hedgehogs and amphibians, link to

education pack/local schools involvement.

• Conduct further wildlife surveys (e.g. wildflowers, birds, mammals,

amphibians etc.) in conjunction with local community and/or special

interest groups, to identify species on site and to create or develop

optimum habitats where practical.

• Continue maintenance and conservation of historic features as already

outlined in the above Section 5.5.

69

5.6 Community involvement Park management authorities should actively pursue the involvement of

members of the community, with representation of as many park user groups

as possible. Management should be able to demonstrate:

knowledge of the user community and levels and pattern of use

evidence of community involvement in park management and/or

development and results achieved

that there are appropriate levels of provision of recreational facilities

for all sectors of the community


5.6.1 Patterns of Use A park users survey was carried out in 2005 in order to provide audience

information for the Audience Development and Access Plan. A repeat survey

was performed in January 2009 with the aim of highlighting any fundamental

changes to the make up and views of park users. The survey followed a

similar format to aid the analysis of results.

The 2009 survey showed that there was no significant change in audience

since the previous survey in 2005. Over three quarters of visitors live within

one mile of the site, and the most popular reasons for visiting the park are

walking/strolling/‘fresh air’, walking the dog, and visiting the arts centre and/or

café.

Both the 2005 and 2009 audience surveys found that the biggest dislike

among park users is litter, particularly bottles and broken glass in the

summer, and rubbish thrown or blown into the lakes. However, both surveys

also found that many people did not have anything negative to say about the

park. Most of the changes suggested by interviewees related to

improvements to litter picking and cleanliness, although there were also calls

for more benches and picnic tables, improvements to path network and

accessibility, and restoration of the fountain.

Since this time, two garden staff have been recruited to maintain the park full

time which has greatly helped to address the issues with litter.

70


Since 2009, the path network has been substantially developed across the

site through the restoration project, and many members of the public have

offered very positive feedback on the improved access. New seating has also

been introduced, and a floating fountain was installed in the South Lake in

March 2013.

Visitor survey data was also historically collected via the GreenSTAT website,

however in March 2013 GreenSpace (the organisation responsible for

GreenSTAT) lost core funding from the government and had to fold. As a

consequence, this survey facility was also lost. In late 2014 Bracknell Forest

Council created a similar questionnaire, available both online and in paper

form, that is now available for members of the public.

Further park user surveys have been carried out on a regular basis since

2013. Comparison of the 2009 and more recent data provides very useful

feedback pre- and post- restoration (Appendix 5).

The positive impact of the restoration work is clearly evident, with satisfaction

ratings markedly improved. These include perceptions of:

• design and appearance of the park

• the standard of cleanliness and maintenance

• mobility and access around the park

• the range of visitor facilities available

• horticultural standards and maintenance

• care and protection of nature and wildlife

The overall impression of the park regularly achieves very high satisfaction

ratings. In 2018 overall satisfaction ratings were once again 100%, with 61%

rating that they were ‘very satisfied’ and a further 39% indicating they were

‘satisfied’.

A record of Visitor Counts was started in September 2013, based on

proposals set out by Land Management Services (Appendix 6). Visitor

numbers are recorded by ‘Steady State Counts’, a method developed and

successfully used by the Royal Parks. Surveyors walk a pre-arranged route

71


around the park following a timed start, counting all people observed, and

noting their use of the park (e.g. exercising, school group, dog walking etc.)

Counts take place across a variety of times of day, days of the week and

months of the year in order to calculate an annual average which is then used

as baseline survey information to inform future decision making. These

results also provide valuable information which will identify target audiences

and sectors of the population which are currently underrepresented at the

park. 2018 results indicate an average of 423,500 visits to the park a year,

compared with estimates of 80,000 prior to the restoration project.

Vehicle counters were installed in both car parks in November 2014 to

provide further detail on visitor numbers.

5.6.2 Community Involvement in Management and Development An Audience Development Plan (ADP) for South Hill Park is in place

(Appendix 7) which has set out plans to work closely with the local

community, volunteers, Friends Group and local schools to increase

community involvement with South Hill Park.

A Volunteer Action Plan (VAP) is in place (Appendix 8) which describes plans

to increase opportunities for volunteers at South Hill Park. This aims to

increase the number and range of volunteers and offer training in new skills to

extend their knowledge base.

A Training Plan (TP) has also been developed (Appendix 9) to define and

deliver a programme of training across the whole range of groups involved

with the park (including members of staff, partnership organisations,

volunteers and the local community).

Friends of South Hill Park Grounds

The Friends of South Hill Park Grounds was established in November 2008 at

the start of the restoration project to ensure the needs and interests of the

local community were represented in the development of the park (Appendix

10). The group have been actively involved in park management with

representatives sitting on the Steering Group and Joint Management

Committee over a period of 10 years.

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In 2018 the group decided that many their objectives had been met and in

light of this decided to allow the very active Gardening Groups to continue the

close community involvement in their place.

Bracknell Herons

The Bracknell Herons Angling Club hold an annual licence for fishing in North

Lake. They have approximately 200 members, combined with around 3,300

day permits this accounts for an estimated 10,000 fishing visits per year,

including occasional matches (Audience Development and Access Plan Nov

2005).

Local User Groups

South Hill Park is also used by many local groups such as the Bracknell

Forest Natural History Society, dog walking clubs, fitness training groups,

buggy fit, personal exercise instructors and football etc.

The Bracknell Camera Club has also been closely involved with the

restoration of the park, and members have photographed the project work

throughout its progress. In 2012 they published a book “South Hill Park:

Restoration of Grounds Project – A Photographic Record” documenting this

work.

Volunteers

Volunteer Groups are active throughout the borough and some key groups

work regularly across the local area and have undertaken tasks at South Hill

Park, in association with grounds staff and the Parks and Countryside

Rangers Team.

The principal groups are:

• Boeringer Ingleheim (annual volunteering day)

• Bracknell Conservation Volunteers

• Ravenswood Volunteers

On occasion, the following groups have also been involved:

• Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers

• Bracknell and District Urban Wildlife Group

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As part of the restoration project, volunteers greatly assisted with clearance

work of the Birch Hill Woods understorey, in preparation for the ornamental

planting in the lower parts of the woodland and surrounds of the South Lawn.

A number of individual volunteers have also been involved in practical

horticultural work around the park. A regular Gardening Group was

established in March 2015. This has now reached a core membership of

approximately 15-20 who attend on a weekly basis.

Corporate Volunteer Groups

The rangers are also involved with supervising corporate ‘team building’

exercises in the park, together with tasks associated with the Duke of

Edinburgh Award Scheme, school days and other hands on training days as

and when they are requested.

5.6.3 Recreational Facilities Facilities within South Hill Park include free car parking, play areas for

toddlers to teenagers, dog walking areas, dog-free areas, seating and quiet

areas, lakes and water features, fishing, sculpture, woodlands and perennial

and shrub planting. The Arts Centre on site also offers a café and toilets,

workshops, courses, events, a cinema and theatre (see Section 4.11). This

means the park is used by a wide variety of individuals across the community.

Public Art

South Hill Park has a number of site-specific, commissioned art works both

inside and outside the Arts Centre building (see Section 5.5.3). These draw

significant public interest and are designed to be a source of curiosity and

inspiration, and encourage members of the public to consider the surrounding

landscape.

Orienteering

A new orienteering course was set up around the grounds of South Hill Park

in February 2016. The course extends through both north and south sides of

the park to help promote seamless partnership working.

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Nature Trail

A new nature trail was established in March 2017 comprising a series of

nature related sculptures around north and south sides of the park. A leaflet

has been designed alongside this to encourage families and individual

members of the community to explore the park and learn more about nature

and their local environment.

Balance Beam

A new balance beam was installed in January 2017 to provide a play facility

for children whilst learning about nature in the park. The balance beam is the

same length as the height of the tallest tree in the park (30m) and is

interspersed with fun facts about trees which children can learn as they walk

the length of the balance beam.

Events

The park benefits from a rich and varied events programme. A full list of the

events programme for 2018 and proposed events for 2019 are given in

Tables 2 and 3.

The events programme combines outdoor sports and arts events with

corporate hire.

A number of major events are held in the park on an annual basis. The

principal events are:

• ‘Party in the Park’ held in June/July of each year combines music, arts

and family activities and in 2015 this event attracted an estimated 6-

8,000 people.

• ’Shakespeare in the Park’ is an annual event hosted by the Arts

Centre and performed on the terraces and outdoor amphitheatre in

Birch Hill Woods. This is also sometimes performed by

Shakespeare’s Globe when they are on tour.

• Two funfairs are held in the North Park (Spring and Autumn) and

administered by Bracknell Town Council, both of which run for

approximately two weeks.

• The park and house have been part of the national Civic Trust/English

Heritage Open Days programme since 2007. Guided tours of the

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House and Grounds are conducted over the four days of the event

normally held in late summer.

• The Bracknell Half Marathon, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary in

2009, starts and finishes in the park. The event attracts up to 1,000

entrants each year.

• Occasional use takes place for informal sports and football training so

as to relieve the pressure on pitches elsewhere in the Borough.

Other events in the past few years have included Hope Bracknell 2008, a

major community, volunteer-based, clean up initiative concluding with Hope in

the Park, a family fun day staged at South Hill Park.

The park has also been host to a number of circuses, including the Chinese

State Circus in 2006 and the Moscow State Circus in 2008.

A very popular highlight of the 2012 event calendar included the fireworks

celebration in October. This was a joint venture, organised by combined

representatives from Bracknell Town Council, the Arts Centre and Bracknell

Forest Council to celebrate the Queens Jubilee, the 2012 Olympics and the

completion of the restoration works in the park. Approximately 5,000 people

attended this event, making it the largest event of the year. This event also

had the very positive impact of reaching new audiences, with many visitors

living locally and visiting South Hill Park for the first time.

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Table 2: Outdoor events at South Hill Park 2018

Date Event Location Organiser Estimated attendance

7 Feb Winter walk All areas BFC 15

6 Mar Nature Trail walk All areas BFC 12

4 Apr Easter Treasure Hunt South side BFC 449

17 Apr Community litter pick All areas BFC 4

2-16 Apr Fun Fair North side Town Council 2,000

9 May Spring walk All areas BFC 3

30 May Minibeast Safari South side BFC 67

2-3 Jun Food Festival South side Arts Centre 2,500

12 Jun Community Litter Pick All areas BFC 16

7 Jul Stroke Association Walk All areas Arts Centre 250

9-13 Jul Missed Out week South side Arts Centre 150

27 Jul Young Explorers Day South side BFC 30

13 Aug Community Litter Pick All areas BFC 2

18 Aug Paws in the Park North side BFC 2,500

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29 Aug Summer of Fun North side Town Council 2,000

6 Sep Heritage Open Day tours All areas BFC 21

17 Sep Fun Fair North side Town Council 2,000

4 Oct Public Service Show North side Town Council 500

21 Oct Wedding Fair South side Arts Centre 500

23 Oct Orienteering Open Event All areas BFC 9

11 Nov WW1 Centenary Event South side Town Council 7,500

16 Nov Schools Cross Country North side BFC 1,850

15 Dec Christmas Treasure Hunt South side BFC 348

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Table 3: Proposed outdoor events at South Hill Park 2019

Date Event Location Organiser

23 Jan Community Litter PIck All areas BFC

19 Feb Nature Quest South side BFC

9 Apr Easter Treasure Hunt South side BFC

Apr/May Fun Fair North side BTC

19 May Bracknell Walk Together All areas Arts Centre

21 May Much Ado About Nothing Amphitheatre Arts Centre

31 May Nature Quest South side BFC

4 Jun The Tempest Amphitheatre Arts Centre

8-9 Jun Food & Music Festival South side Arts Centre

11 Jun Community Litter Pick All areas BFC

28 Jun Old Herbaceous Amphitheatre Arts Centre

8-12 Jul Missed Out week South side Arts Centre

8-21 Jul Arts Festival South side Arts Centre

26 Jul Minibeast Safari All areas BFC

17 Aug Paws in the Park North side BFC

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Aug Summer of Fun North side Town Council

Sep Fun Fair North side BTC

17 Sep Heritage Open Days All areas BFC

20 Oct Wedding Fair South side Arts Centre

28 Oct Autumn Treasure Hunt South side BFC

Nov Schools Cross Country event North side BFC

16-17 Nov Craft Fair South side Arts Centre

Dec Christmas Treasure Hunt All areas BFC


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The Arts Centre remains a major focus for cultural events in the borough and

draws around 100,000 people each year to paid events and performances,

many of which extend to the park itself.

The popularity of major events such as Party in the Park, Fun Fair and Circus

do have the potential to damage the historic fabric of the park. All events

operated by the Arts Centre are subject to booking agreements and

associated terms and conditions regarding the management of events. A

bond held by the Arts Centre in respect of major events by third parties can

be used to fund re-instatement of damage to the park.

Events are subject to controls in the form of protective fencing to restrict

public access, marshalling, controls on vehicle movements (including the use

of temporary roads) and requirements to re-instate damage. The principal

areas liable to damage are the lawns. These are inspected after events and

measures to re-instate damaged or rutted areas and alleviate compaction are

carried out by the Borough and Town Council maintenance teams.

5.6.4 Educational Facilities Walks and Tours

Grounds staff also organise an ongoing programme of walks, tours and

events including gardening volunteer days, community litter picks, as well as

many family orientated events which aim to engage young people in nature.

Education - Partnership and Youth

During the summer of 2010, the local Neighbourhood Action Group, in

conjunction with the restoration project and BFC Parks and Countryside

Ranger Service, organised a very successful Partnership and Youth initiative.

This involved orienteering and tree trails for young people in the park, and

also encouraged their friends and family to attend and assist. This initiative

was made possible by police funding and provided an excellent example of

cooperation and collaboration at all levels.

Education - Forest School

Since 2012 a Forest School initiative has regularly run at South Hill Park with

children from two local primary schools – Fox Hill and The Pines.

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Forest School works to teach children through play, about the natural

environment, problem solving and cooperating with others. It has proved to

be a very popular and successful education initiative, and is a programme

that will be encouraged to run on an ongoing basis at South Hill Park.

Further education initiatives for both adults within the local community, and

children at local schools, are planned as part of the Audience Development

Plan. These initiatives will be developed further during 2019 with a view to

increasing awareness of South Hill Park and the educational opportunities it

can help to facilitate.

5.6.5 Commemorative Trees and Benches A procedure on Commemorative Trees and Benches was developed in

August 2014, in conjunction with Bracknell Town Council, to address the

demand for this within the park (Appendix 11). This has proved a popular

initiative with much interest generated over the last four years.


• Continue visitor surveys to ensure public satisfaction is improving.

• Continue to work with, consult and involve Friends of South Hill Park

Grounds, attend regular meetings, and support their involvement in

park maintenance, management and events.

• Implement objectives outlined in Audience Development Plan

• Develop and build on volunteer support and involvement in the park.

• Develop and enhance events and educational opportunities within the

park, to engage all sectors of the local community.

• Continue to work closely with Bracknell Town Council and South Hill

Park Trust to develop and expand the events programme on site.

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5.7 Marketing and communication Is there:

a marketing strategy in place? Is it in practice and regularly reviewed?

good provision of information to users e.g. about management

strategies, activities, features, ways to get involved?

effective promotion of the park as a community resource?


5.7.1 Marketing Strategy The marketing strategy for South Hill Park is formed within the Audience

Development Plan (Appendix 7). This sets out clear guidance on how the

three main partner organisations (Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town

Council and South Hill Park Trust) can work together most efficiently to

promote South Hill Park to as wide a number of people as possible within the

local community.

Elements of this plan include:

• coordinating existing marketing strategies across the partner

organisations

• developing orientation and interpretation panels within the park

• maintaining and regularly updating all partner websites with event

news and information on the park

• developing and building on events and activities which combine the

resources of all partner organisations, to reach the widest possible

audience

• developing educational activities targeted at schools and young

people

• developing activities and initiatives which will attract less well

represented or minority population groups

5.7.2 Information Provision and Interpretation A walking trails leaflet for South Hill Park was produced in 2012 (and updated

in 2015), which was researched and drafted by the Friends Group. The guide

details four waymarked trails around both north and south sections of the park

and also provides information on the park’s history. It is available free of

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charge to all visitors at the Arts Centre reception and is also available to

download from the Bracknell Forest Council Parks and Countryside website.

An orienteering leaflet was produced in May 2016 to launch the new

orienteering course at South Hill Park. This is also available to download from

the Council website and hard copies are available at reception.

A sculpture trail leaflet was produced in June 2016 to guide visitors around

the sculptures found both in the grounds and within the Arts Centre itself.

This has proved to be very popoular, and has also helped to promote South

Hill Park as a seamless unit to members of the public.

An educational nature trail leaflet was produced in March 2018 to support the

nature trail sculpture installed within the grounds.

Future interpretation will include a Tree Trail leaflet aimed at both families

with young children and adults alike.

A Children’s Explorer Pack was developed and introduced in May 2014 and is

designed to encourage families to explore nature in the park. It contains

children’s binoculars, insect collecting pot (with magnifying lid), coloured

pencils, plant and insect identification sheets and lots of nature-related

puzzles and games. The Explorer Packs are available to hire free of charge,

to ensure they are available to all members of the community.

5.7.3 Effective Promotion South Hill Park has been very well promoted throughout the restoration

project in local press and various forms of media.

Newsletters were printed at intervals during the restoration works with

updates on progress. These were available from the Arts Centre and

Bracknell Town Council’s office in the town centre.

The park is also well promoted on the Parks and Countryside Events section

of the Bracknell Forest Council website.

84


Events at South Hill Park are promoted on the websites of the Arts Centre,

Town and Parish Councils, along with a hard copy leaflet which is distributed

on site, in community centres and local libraries every 6 months.

Volunteer events are advertised on the Take Pride website and newsletter,

also available online.

Notices and events are advertised within the Arts Centre on the notice board

near the café and five external notice boards installed around the grounds in

September 2013 (see Figure 28).

The notice boards show contact details for park staff, should members of the

public have any issues or concerns they wish to discuss directly with them. A

specific email address ([email protected]) has also been set up to

allow the public to contact park staff.

Figure 28: Park notice board

85

mailto:([email protected]


Newsletters are distributed to local residents prior to major events at South

Hill Park (e.g. Paws in the Park) to ensure members of the local community

are aware of potential disruptions – such as increase in local traffic and noise.

Park staff are easily identifiable, wearing Bracknell Forest Council - Parks and

Countryside uniform. They are well informed and always willing and able to

answer questions from the public.


• Implement objectives in the Audience Development Plan

• Review the ADP on a regular basis to monitor progress and amend or

set further objectives as necessary.

• Promote and develop volunteering opportunities at South Hill Park.

• Develop Tree Trail leaflet

• Label historic trees.

• Continue to promote South Hill Park in local press and media.

86

5.8 Management A Green Flag site must have a management plan. It must set out the balance

between all the priorities, policies and partners that apply to a particular green

space. It should establish a time scale for putting the objectives into practice.

It should also identify the contribution the site is making towards an area’s

wider strategic aims. It must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed.

Financially sound management of the site must also be demonstrated.


This is a ten year Management and Maintenance Plan 2012-2021 – detailing

plans for the park’s forward development and growth, aims and objectives,

and a clear programme for action.

Section six gives detail of the vision, aims and objectives for South Hill Park,

which then filters in to the long term aims and management for the different

Character Areas (Section eight).

Section seven shows the management structure operating within the park and

the relationship between the various organisations involved.

Section ten gives detail on the monitoring and review process in place which

will take place on an annual basis.

Financial management is covered in Section nine.


• Annual review of this MMP to ensure its implementation

87


6. Vision

6.1 Vision Statement The following Vision Statement was prepared by South Hill Park partners and

endorsed through public consultation as part of the preparation of the 2005

CMP:

“To revitalise the park as a thriving, vibrant, varied open space which builds

on the special qualities of its historic landscape, its natural beauty and its art

activities, as a safe, attractive oasis in Bracknell Town which benefits the

whole community”.

6.2 South Hill Park Arts Centre Mission Statement The Arts Centre has the following Mission Statement:

“South Hill Park Arts Centre exists to improve the quality of life for all those

who come into contact with the work that we produce and support both in our

own region and on tour. We will expand people’s horizons by providing a

world of innovative, challenging, professional and community arts in a

welcoming, high quality and accessible environment.”

Their aims and objectives are:

• To produce and present work which surprises, delights, stimulates and

challenges everyone who visits South Hill Park or comes into contact

with our work.

• To create a unique dynamic between observation, education and

participation and promote critical debate within the arts.

• To explore mutually beneficial partnerships with artists, cultural

producers, businesses, education, and the public sector.

• To continue to operate as global players, seeking out and embracing

links with artists, cultural producers and arts complexes worldwide.

• To work with emerging companies and artists in developing

sustainable and inclusive audience development initiatives.

88


• To develop our role as a nationally recognised centre of excellence for

the arts and entertainment both at South Hill Park and on tour with our

associate companies.

• To take a leadership role in developing national strategies for touring

mid-scale theatre in the UK.

• To contribute to the coordination of the South East’s regional strategy

for international collaboration.

6.3 Aims and Objectives The CMP (2005) defines 25 policies for the park (Appendix 12). All have

relevance for the ongoing management and maintenance of the park and

have informed the preparation of this MMP. Of these, seven key aims have

been identified for the aims and objectives of this MMP (see Table 4).

Table 4: Management and maintenance plan aims and objectives

Management and Maintenance Plan Aims and Objectives

No. Aim Objective CMP Policy Ref.

1 Site Based Team • Establish, develop and support a well

trained and knowledgeable site based

team to lead on day to day

management and maintenance of the

grounds; to include co-ordinating the

related work carried out by Bracknell

Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council

and South Hill Park Trust.

2; 3, 23,

25

2 Co-ordinated

Management and

Maintenance

• Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell

Town Council and South Hill Park Trust

to work jointly to deliver co-ordinated

3; 5;

89


management and maintenance of the

grounds in accordance with the MMP.

This will be guided through the Grounds

Group (Joint Management Committee)

3 Heritage, • Carry out and maintain planting using 4; 9; 10;

Landscape, species which are sympathetic to the 11; 12;

Biodiversity and

Sustainability historic landscape; resilient to future

climatic conditions and low intensity in

terms of use of natural resources.

• Ensure materials used across the site

and the methodologies applied reflect

the nationally important heritage value.

• Implement management and

maintenance activities to protect and

enhance biodiversity.

• Implement management and

maintenance activities in accordance

with good practice for sustainability.

17

4 Interpretation,

Events and

Education

• Carry out marketing, interpretation and

educational activities to raise

awareness of the grounds at SHP;

integrating this alongside promotion and

use of the Arts Centre.

• Encourage public access across all

user groups; targeting measures to

attract potentially under-represented

groups such as young people, people

with disabilities and ethnic minorities (in

accordance with the ADP).

• Ensure key features such as signage

promote a consistent and positive visitor

16; 21;

24

90


experience

5 Community

Involvement • Actively encourage public participation

by liaising and working with local

residents and interest groups; including

supporting the Friends of South Hill

Park Grounds.

• Provide regular voluntary opportunities,

enabling people to positively contribute

to management and maintenance

22

6 Quality Standards • Maintain the grounds to a high quality

standard, in accordance with current

national and local standards.

• Submit an annual application to the

Green Flag Award scheme

13

7 Monitoring and

Review • Regularly carry out visitor surveys to

assess visitor satisfaction and help

identify future improvements.

• Carry out visitor counts to calculate

annual visitor numbers.

• Review the MMP on an annual basis.

6; 7; 14

91


7. Management of South Hill Park

7.1 Management Structure Management of the grounds of South Hill Park is co-ordinated by Bracknell

Forest Council. There are four site based staff: the Heritage Parks Manager,

and the three Heritage Parks Gardeners who work across the two key historic

parks in Bracknell (South Hill Park and Lily Hill Park).

These staff work jointly with the Bracknell Town Council Facilities Manager

and the South Hill Park Trust Operations Manager.

Routine grounds maintenance is contracted out to Bracknell Town Council

(grass cutting and general turf maintenance), and Continental Landscape Ltd

(bedding displays, mulching and hedge cutting).

The Heritage Parks Manager reports to a Joint Management Committee

(JMC), also known as the Grounds Group, which is comprised of

representatives from Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council,

South Hill Park Trust and North Lakes Estate Management (see Figure 29).

The JMC oversees the management of the park and acts as the coordinating

body for all partners involved (Appendix 13 for Terms of Reference).

The three organisations work jointly as land managers with defined

geographic responsibilities (see Figures 30-33). Joint management helps to

achieve a consistent approach across the whole park, and operations are

organised so that – to the visiting public – South Hill Park grounds are

managed and maintained as a whole. Joint management also allows for work

to build on the strengths of the various partners involved.

92

,,, , . , .

,


Figure 29: South Hill Park management structure

Heritage Parks Manager Bracknell Forest Council

Joint Management Committee

(Grounds Group)


Bracknell Town Council

South Hill Park Trust

North Lakes Estate

Management

Operations Manager South Hill Park Trust

Recreational Facilities Manager

Bracknell Town Council

Day to day maintenance of South Hill Park

93

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99


8. Site Maintenance

The management prescriptions detailed below follow the structure of

Character Areas set out in the Conservation Management Plan (2005).

The Character Areas are as follows:

A: North Wood

B: East Park

C: West Park

D: North Lake

E: Balancing Pond

F: Arts Centre

G: Lawn

H: Birch Hill Banks

I: South Lake

J: Shrubbery

K: Birch Hill Wood

L: Ice House

Please see Figure 5 for reference.

8.1.1 North Wood (A): Long term aims To retain the generally open character of the woodland and promote natural

regeneration of the canopy and understorey species so that the woodland is

functioning as a natural and dynamic system.

The woodland will have plenty of seedlings and gaps in the canopy created by

wind throw or as trees die, to allow seedlings to flourish long term. The

habitat and population should be sustainable in the long term.

Seedlings should be transplanted within the woodland if necessary to

supplement natural regeneration, and ideally locally sourced seed should be

collected of native trees and shrubs.

The woodland should have a canopy and shrub layer that includes locally

100


native trees of all ages and an abundance of standing and fallen dead wood

to provide habitat for fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Piles

of dead wood should be created for stag beetle habitats.

Material from tree pruning should be chipped and recycled on site for

compost, mulch or path surfacing.

To ensure the canopy and understorey retain their native species character

(principally Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, Castanea sativa)

selective felling of certain species may be required. Diseased and damaged

trees should be regularly monitored and monoliths created wherever possible.

Invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum, Prunus laurocerasus and

bamboo should be reduced to a maximum of five percent of woodland

species.

Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible

(with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach.

Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional

tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established

before the existing tree has to be felled.

Where the woodland borders the play area, a more open structure will be

maintained through regular pruning where required. The play area will be

retained as an adventurous area for children’s learning and recreation. The

timber construction will be maintained to be in keeping with the area, with a

natural look and sustainable products used wherever possible.

8.1.2 East Park (B): Long term aims To re-establish the less formal parkland character over much of the area and

reinforce parkland planting using species in keeping with the history of the site

(e.g. Cedrus and Quercus species).



101





Maintain open views across the lake and key vistas and ensure intrusive

views are screened.

The Wildflower Meadow area will be sensitively conserved and cut once a

year only (in Autumn), to allow invertebrates to hibernate in the hollow stems

and maximum opportunity for the area to support other small mammals,

amphibians, insects, birds etc. Careful monitoring will be undertaken in its

first few years and replanting/re-seeding undertaken where necessary (see

Table 1 for relevant species and seed mix).

8.1.3 West Park (C): Long term aims To retain the open, informal character of the West Park for recreation and

events, whilst also reinforcing its original parkland character by tree planting

and management to maintain key views.

To maintain high horticultural standards of turf maintenance at all times. The

lawn area will be carefully monitored during and after large events to help

prevent any damage. A bond will be taken in respect of any major events to

ensure funding is available to reinstate the lawns if necessary.

The avenue of Ash trees may be susceptible to the fungal disease, Ash

dieback (Chalara fraxinea) in forthcoming years, which is spreading rapidly

throughout the UK. There are 50 trees in the avenue and although some

resistance may be found, it is unlikely that all the trees will remain unaffected.

A second successional avenue should therefore be planted alongside the

Ash, with a species which will produce an attractive display for this high profile

area (e.g. Prunus or Pyrus).




102




The sculpture by Lucy Strachan ‘Rings of Pachamama’ is designed to draw

people to this part of the park, to provoke questions and encourage people to

think about the landscape. It is intended to be an interactive piece which

invites visitors to sit and observe or interact with it. The sculpture will be

maintained with this in mind, and is identified as a focal point in the West Park

area.

8.1.4 North Lake (D): Long term aims To maintain and enhance the landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of

the lake and lake edges, its setting within the landscape and to encourage

safe access for all.

The two floating islands will be carefully monitored and managed to ensure

their continued positive impact on the lake’s ecology and their value retained

for nesting wildfowl, fish and invertebrates.

Bankside erosion (particularly on the western edge) will be monitored. A

planting programme will be initiated to establish native, aquatic and marginal,

emergent vegetation on the lake margins. Ecological advice suggests the use

of pre-planted coir rolls for this purpose. This will help to provide cover and

breeding opportunities for invertebrates, amphibians and fish, and help to

reduce further bankside erosion. Geese proof fencing should be used to

protect new planting.

The lake and its margins will be monitored for invasive species, such as

Ragwort, which will be managed and controlled wherever necessary.

The area between the bank and the vegetated island at the southern end of

the lake is used by swans for nesting. To minimise disturbance by visitors

(and dogs, foxes etc.) the water channel should be retained at a width of at

least 1.5m.

103







Care will be taken to ensure open views across the lake and key vistas are

retained.

The trees around the North Lake margins have also been identified as a good

area for tree-mounted bat boxes, to provide additional opportunities for bat

roosts.

Fishing platforms are managed and maintained by the Bracknell Herons

Fishing Club. The Bracknell Herons have the licence on North Lake for the

year 2018-19. Licence arrangements will be reviewed annually.

The rat population at North Lake will continue to be monitored and controlled.

Although rats form a part of the ecology of the lake, the numbers are kept

artificially high through the presence of food scraps left by fishermen and park

users feeding the wildfowl. Food scraps (especially bread) pose significant

risk to the lake’s ecology (e.g. botulism, and increased water nutrient levels)

which in turn reduce both the local flora and fauna.

To address these issues, a programme of education and interpretation will be

implemented to help inform all park users. Ad-hoc wildfowl feeding areas will

be allowed where absolutely necessary, rather than allowing a designated

feeding area at the lake which is likely to negatively reinforce the issue.

8.1.5 Balancing Pond (E): Long term aims To manage the Balancing Pond in order to maintain and enhance its

biodiversity value, whilst continuing to function as part of the flood alleviation

scheme.

The principal habitats are currently a dry/pond marsh and occasionally damp

104


areas at the pond margins.

A permanently wet marsh area will be maintained by removing selected areas

of reedmace to create small areas of open water within the marsh. These

should be formed well away from the boardwalk and bank edges to prevent

access by visitors and dogs. Open water areas will help to increase diversity

of amphibian, invertebrate and plant species.

Willow in the centre of the marsh area will be selectively coppiced, with a

minimum of 30% of this coppicing removed on an annual basis to ensure the

marsh does not dry out.

Taller vegetation will be retained on the marsh edges to create a range of

habitat types especially for bird species. Willow will be coppiced on a three to

five year rotational cycle to ensure a range of tree and shrub heights and

densities are present.

Margins will be carefully managed to reduce the likelihood of visitors or dogs

entering the marsh area.

Interpretation panels will be incorporated into the long term signage strategy

to explain more about the wetland habitat and its wildlife value.

8.1.6 Arts Centre (F): Long term aims To retain the formal character and quality of the gardens around the Arts

Centre and manage them to the highest horticultural standards.

The bedding, in both the Italian and Secret Gardens, will be changed twice a

year for all year round interest. It will be kept vibrant, colourful and interesting

to reflect its nature as a high profile area. (The Italian Garden is a favourite

spot for wedding photographs.)

105


The feature in the Secret Garden will be carefully monitored with due regard

to public safety, and maintained as an ornamental and historic feature. Any

touch up/paint work required will be colour matched (e.g. Dulux Showdown

PG2D9). It is important to ensure that views to the feature from the Arts

Centre Terrace and South Lawn are preserved.

The entrance to the Secret Garden from the woodland would benefit from

further planting to formalise this area and attract visitor’s attention to the

waymarked trail.

The two mature Taxus against the wall leading to the Secret Garden have lost

their original form and long term will be replaced with either the same or a

similar evergreen species which can be regularly trimmed to shape and

maintained at a more appropriate size for the area.

The Taxus and Buxus hedging throughout the area will be monitored regularly

to maintain appropriate height and density. Planting within the parterre will

also be trimmed to height and shape.

The grassed areas on the Arts Centre terrace will be reseeded with a higher

quality seed mix to create a denser, finer sward demonstrating high

horticultural standards in turf care. These are high profile lawns and regularly

in use, and a careful balance is required between aesthetics and robustness.

The two large Magnolia grandiflora trees on the terrace will be managed and

ideally retained as they are well established, historically significant,

ornamental features. However, they may need to be reduced or removed in

future if shown to be impacting on the structure of the mansion.

The climbers and vines will be regularly pruned and maintained to retain their

form. The Rosa species will be carefully pruned and trained to establish the

framework over the rose arches in their initial years. They will be managed to

ensure a long flowering season is maintained, and a well established

framework is developed over the rose arches.

106


The new formal planted beds established as part of the restoration project

have lifted the area significantly. These will be further enhanced in the future

with additional planting using a wide variety of interesting species which

provide all year round interest.

The less formally managed area at the southern end of Yew Walk will be

incorporated into programme of more regular maintenance. Invasive species

will be removed and large shrubs regularly pruned back to keep the area

visually secure. Long term, this area will be opened up and planted with more

low maintenance, ornamental, flowering species.

The Western Entrance is a high profile area, being one of the main entrances

to the park from the car park. The large shrubs will be regularly monitored to

keep the area open, visually secure and provide a welcoming entrance.

Specimen trees could also be added here to mirror the northern side of this

entrance.

The car park will be regularly monitored to maintain it as a clean and

welcoming environment. It will be kept free of litter, leaves and debris.

Lighting will be maintained and checked to ensure provision is safe and

adequate. Directional signage installed in 2013 has helped to facilitate the

flow of both vehicles and pedestrians.

Trees will be regularly maintained to ensure they do not obscure lighting or

CCTV cameras. The storage compound and bin/recycling area has been

screened from view with a Fagus hedge, which was planted in 2013.

Single specimen trees in the car park area will be underplanted with low

maintenance ground cover species or bulbs. This will provide additional

colour and interest at all times of the year, reduce maintenance required and

increase the welcoming feeling as visitors enter the park by car.

The Fagus hedging in the car park area will be carefully managed to maintain

a maximum height of 1.2m (lower in designated areas along the north-south

pathway) and to retain its form.

107






before the existing tree has to be felled. It is very important to retain the

vistas between the front of the Arts Centre building and the northern side of

the park.

The small area of wildflowers in front of the historic, brick-arched headwall (to

the front of the Arts Centre building) is retained as a low maintenance area.

Given its high profile and prominent visibility, it could be considered for

additional planting to increase interest (e.g. Fritillaria bulbs which would do

well in the damp conditions).

The sculpture by Marcel Baettig ‘The Board Frog (Bull)’ in the front courtyard

will be monitored and regularly maintained with care to the planting

surrounding it (e.g. Hedera climbing the wall).

The historic stonework including steps, piers, urns, balustrades, paving and

brickwork will be kept clean, and regularly maintained to a high standard. Any

repairs or future replacement will be in keeping with the high standards

achieved throughout the restoration project, and completed with due regard to

the specialist conservation techniques required for historic features. Cleaning

will be completed periodically with a low-pressure hose and brush, and early

intervention will be taken to make good any damage from significant spills etc.

The historic metalwork including the ornamental gates and railings, will be

kept clean and bright, and regularly maintained to a high standard. They will

be annually reviewed and any repainting or touch ups required will make due

reference to the current colour scheme in place:

• Pale green (RAL 6021) to emphasise decorative and ornamental

elements and metalwork of historic value e.g. ornamental gates.

• Telegrey 2 (RAL 7046) for functional features, intended to make them

more regressive in the landscape e.g. railings, bins, handrails.

108


This will be guided by further details and information set out in the Operations

and Maintenance Manual provided by the contractors involved with the

restoration work.

Path surfaces throughout the site will be regularly checked and monitored to

ensure they are kept clean, free of leaves, debris, snow/ice as required. Any

repair or maintenance work (e.g. surface damage or trip hazards) will be

completed with reference to the Operations and Maintenance Manual.

8.1.7 South Lawn (G): Long term aims To retain the South Lawns as an area for informal recreation and events, and

provide for a less marked transition with the surrounding woodland.

To maintain high horticultural standards of turf maintenance at all times. The

lawn area should be carefully monitored during and after large events to help

prevent any damage. A bond should be taken in respect of any major events

to ensure funding is available to reinstate the lawns if necessary.

Long term, invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum and Prunus

laurocerasus will be removed to allow specimen trees and shrubs to flourish

on the shrub mound. It is important to retain some height in this planting as it

currently screens the main area of the park from the car park.






The turf in the toddlers play garden area takes a lot of wear and long term the

possibility of replacing this with artificial grass to reduce maintenance should

be examined. Additional ornamental, resilient species could be added to

enhance the play area further. The sand areas will be annually monitored to

ensure they are topped up to sufficient levels.

109


Sculptures in this area include the following:

• ‘Totem’ by Robert Carruthers

• ‘Gravity XII’ by Barry Mason

• ‘Untitled’ by John Clarke

These sculptures were all created in the early 1980s and are of wood

construction. Restoration work is needed to renovate (and in some cases to

rebuild) these sculptures. It may still be possible to complete this work within

the HLF restoration project. If not, this will be undertaken as part of the

grounds maintenance work.

8.1.8 Birch Hill Banks (H): Long term aims The Birch Hill Banks area will be preserved as a buffer zone between the park

and the surrounding housing areas.

Long term plans for Birch Hill Banks include planting up or seeding with

wildflower or long grass species to create a meadow area on the steep banks.

This will increase the biodiversity of the area and create further wildlife

habitats for invertebrates, insects and small mammals.






The children’s play area will be kept clean, free of litter etc. and maintained to

a high standard. The equipment will be regularly monitored to ensure it

provides a safe and enjoyable environment for children to utilise. Play

equipment will be replaced and/or upgraded if this proves necessary over the

next ten years.

8.1.9 South Lake (I): Long term aims To maintain and enhance the landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of

110


the lake and lake edges and restore its relationship to the landscape as a

whole.

The concrete island was removed from the South Lake in February 2013 and

a new floating island installed in March 2013. The floating islands provide

additional undisturbed vegetation cover for nesting wildfowl and are planted

up with native, emergent vegetation. The island is located in open water,

away from potential access by visitors or dogs.

A new floating fountain was installed in the South Lake in March 2013.

Regular maintenance will be required to clean the filter and remove debris

and litter from the lake surface.

The ‘Ripple Wall’ sculpture by William Pye was restored in 2012. It will be

regularly reviewed and monitored to ensure it is maintained to the high

standards completed within the restoration work. Should any further work be

necessary, the sculptor will be contacted for technical or specialist advice

required.

Bankside erosion will be carefully monitored and controlled. A planting

programme will be initiated to establish native, aquatic and marginal,

emergent vegetation on the lake margins. Ecological advice suggests the use

of pre-planted coir rolls for this purpose. This will help to provide cover and

breeding opportunities for invertebrates, amphibians and fish, and help to

reduce further bankside erosion. Geese proof fencing should be used to

protect new planting.

The lake and its margins will be carefully monitored for invasive species such

as bamboo, Rhododendron ponticum and Prunus laurocerasus, which will be

managed and controlled wherever necessary.

Overhanging trees and shrubs shading the water surface will be carefully

monitored and pruned back where necessary. It is important to retain the key

vista from the lake to the house.


111





before the existing tree has to be felled. Native specimen trees should also

be programmed in for successional planting in the shrub area to the west of

the lake.

8.1.10 Shrubbery (J): Long term aims To extend the Yew Walk and enhance the character of the path forming a

transition for the formal gardens to the shrub and woodland areas to the west

of the South Lake.

The Shrubbery will be retained with a generally open character to promote

natural regeneration within the canopy and understorey species. Seedlings

will be transplanted where necessary, to supplement natural regeneration,

and ideally locally sourced seed should be collected of native trees and

shrubs.

Standing and fallen dead wood will be encouraged, to provide habitats for

fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Material from tree pruning

should be chipped and recycled on site for compost, mulch or path surfacing.


bamboo will be progressively removed from the area.






The shrubs bordering lake will be carefully managed to retain views towards

the house.

For safety and security, good visibility will be maintained throughout the area

by cyclical reduction of dense understorey growth as required.

112


8.1.11 Birch Hill Woodland (K): Long term aims To retain the generally open character of the woodland and promote natural

regeneration of the canopy and understorey species so that the woodland is

functioning as a natural and dynamic system.

The woodland will have plenty of seedlings and gaps in the canopy created by

wind throw or as trees die, to allow seedlings to flourish long term. The

habitat and population should be sustainable in the long term.

Seedlings will be transplanted within the woodland if necessary to supplement

natural regeneration, and ideally locally sourced seed should be collected of

native trees and shrubs.

The woodland should have a canopy and shrub layer that includes locally

native trees of all ages and an abundance of standing and fallen dead wood

to provide habitat for fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Piles

of dead wood will be created for stag beetle habitats.

Material from tree pruning will be chipped and recycled on site for compost,

mulch or path surfacing.

To ensure the canopy and understorey retain their native species character

(principally Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, Castanea sativa)

selective felling of certain species may be required. Diseased and damaged

trees will be regularly monitored and monoliths created wherever possible.


bamboo should be reduced to a maximum of five percent of woodland

species.






113


Significant, veteran and historic trees (e.g. the Gladstone tree, a Quercus ilex)

will be labelled with both latin and common names.

Quieter areas for contemplation will be retained within the woodland e.g. small

glades with seating areas. Fallen monoliths will be used to create seats or

benches where practical, building on the use of sustainable materials on site.

The amphitheatre will be managed and maintained to a high standard as it is

frequently used as a setting for theatrical performances by the Arts Centre.

Height will be maintained at the rear of the amphitheatre, to create a secluded

effect, without impacting on safety and security of the area. The borders of

the amphitheatre will be planted with additional species to add horticultural

value to the area and more all year round colour and interest.

As part of the restoration project, some ornamental and native planting was

established in the woodland understorey areas bordering the South Lawn.

Long term, additional planting of native species will be added to wider areas

within Birch Hill Woods. A programme of progressive planting of native herbs

and edibles will be put in place in the woodland understorey. This will be

designed to encourage public participation in the form of workshops and

events, demonstrating wild foraging and the many uses of our native flora.

Further ornamental planting will also be established at the entrances to the

park from the surrounding residential areas. This will help to make the

entrance areas feel more welcoming, and to establish the identity of the park

at its boundaries. The area of bulbs at the southern end of Birch Hill Woods

will be retained particularly for its value of native bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-

scripta.

The hazel coppice in Birch Hill Wood will be re-established in a programme of

active, cyclical coppice management. This will also be an opportunity for

interpretation and act as an educational feature for visitors. The resulting

coppiced material could also be used for brushwood staking on site.

All paths throughout the Birch Hill Woods have been designed with no-dig

construction and any future path networks should retain this philosophy to

114


protect the tree root network. Paths should will be no more than one metre

wide to reduce compaction and human impact on the habitat. Overhanging

planting along the paths and boundaries will be pruned back up to three

metres on either side to retain good visibility for safety and security throughout

the area.

The paths will be regularly monitored for any surface damage, trip hazards or

washout (especially on the CEDEC surfaces) and repaired with reference to

the Operations and Maintenance Manual, as required.

8.1.12 Ice House (L): Long term aims The Ice House is located outside boundary of the area now identified as

South Hill Park. It is estimated to originate from the 18th or 19th century where

winter ice would be stored to cool drinks and desserts and later to store food.

The ice house was a domed brick structure built into a hillside, however the

CMP (2005) notes that it appears to have been filled in and covered over

when the housing was built in this area in the 1970s. It stands in a small

courtyard off a pathway, overgrown with trees and shrubs, and only a small

section of the brick arch is now visible.

Long term, it would be an interesting historic feature to highlight by providing

interpretation and educational information for members of the public.

115

Spring (Mar-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (Sei,4,lov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

North Wood

Woodland trees Transplant seedi ngs Irrigate newly planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting BTC Ragular tree inspections Selective t ree felling

Formative tree pruning

Reaula r tree insoections

Understorey Replant understorey species CJt back understorey next to paths up to 3m Remove selected brambles etc. from understorey Cut back understorey next to paths up to 3m BTC Remove Rhododendron ponticum Remove Rhododendron ponticum

Ramove selected brambles etc. from understorev Specimen trees Weed tree circles Weed tree d rdes Weed tree circles Weed tree cirdes BTC

Irrigate newly planted trees Check t ree stakes and ties Tree planting

Ragular tree inspections Formative tree pruning

Mulch newly p lanted trees

ReQutar tree inspectOns Play area Weekly safety inspections Weekly safety- inspections Weekly safety inspections Weekly safet'f inspections BTC

Annual rldependent site nspection

East Park

Wildftower Meadow Meadow cut back 1 m from path edges Meadow cut back 1 m from path edges Meadoo annual cut to 75mm BTC Rake off clippings

Amenity grass areas Moo to 25-75mm, arisrlgs let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25•75mm, a risings let f ly Moo to 25-75mm, arisllgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Srimming around benches, lltter bins, artwork, signs etc Turf repai"s Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork , s igns etc

Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork, signs etc Strimm i'lg around benches, litter bi'ls, art-Nork, signs etc

Specimen trees Weed tree circles Weed tree cirdes Weed t ree c ircles Weed tree cirdes BTC lnigate ne\Nly planted trees Check tree stake s and ties Tree planting

Ragular tree inspections Formative tree pruning


Regular tree inspections

West Park

Amenity grass areas Moo to 25-75mm, arisi'lgs let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25•75mm, arisings let f ly Mow to 25-75mm, arisi'lgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Srimming around benches, titter bins, artwork, signs etc Turf repar s Strimming around benches, titter bins, art'NOl'k , s igns etc

Turf aeration and scarification (verti drain) Turf aeration and scarifi:ation (c:harl harrow)

Spring feed Strimmi'lg a round be nches, litter bi'ls, art-Nol'k, signs etc

Strimmina around benches, litte r bins, artwork, sians etc

Trees Weed tree circles Weed tree d rdes Weed tree c ircles Weed tree d rdes BTC lnigate ne\Nly planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting

Regular tree inspections Formative tree pruning


Reaular tree insoections

Rings of Pachamama Clean as required, with water/high pressure hose Cean as required, with water/high pressure hose Clean as requl"ed, w l h water/high pressure hose Clean as required, with waterJhigh pressure hose BTC sculpture Strim grass edges S1rim grass edges Strim gras.s edges Strim grass edges

Monitor surroundinq turf for high wear Monitor surroundillQ turf for hQh wear

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8.2 Annual Work Plan

116

Spring (Mar-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (Sep-Nov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

North Lake

Lake Fishing dosed season Remove debris and litter Remove debris and ltter Remove debris and litter BTC Replanting selective aqUlJltic species

Remove debris and litter

Floating island Remove debris and litter Remove debris and llter BTC

Cut back Lythrum to 18'' Check annually for replanting requirements

Inlet/outlet Clear overflow of leaves/debris Clear overflow of leaves/debris C lear overflow of leaves/debris Clear overflOYJ o f leaves/debris Thames Water

L~ebuoys Regular monitoring for safety and condrion Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condlion BTC

Ensure present in proper housing provided Ensure present in proper housing provided Ensure present in proper housl'lg provided Ensure present in proper housing provided

Lake margins Replanting selective marginal species Remove rag'NOrt/rlvasive species Remove rag.vorvinvasive species Selective coppicing/overhanging branch removal BTC

Regular monitoring of bankside erosion Regula r monitoring of bankside erosion Regular monitoring of bankside erosion Regular monitoring of bankside erosion

Grass edges Mow to 25-75mm , arisrlgs let f~ Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, a risings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisrlgs lei fly BTC

Turf repairs Strimming around benches, l~ter bins, af"M'ork, signs etc Turf repar s Strimming around benches, Wtter bins, artwork, signs etc

Strimmina around benches, litter bins, arnYOr1<. sians etc Strimmrla around benches. litter blls, artwor1<, sians etc

Pest control Regular monitoring Regula r monitoring Regular monitoring Regular monitoring BTC

Balancing Pond

Reed marsh Remove reedmace to selected areas o f open water BTC

Rake out selected vegetation

Marsh edges Remove invasive species Remove invasive species Remove n vasive species Coppice willow 5-7yr cycle BTC Selected willow removal

Boardwalk Regular monitoring Regula r monitoring Regular monitoring Regular monitoring BTC

Grass edges Grassland edges maintained to 60-80mm Grassland edges malltained to 60~0mm Grassland edges maintained to 60-SOmm Grassland edges maintained to 60~0mm BTC

Turf repairs Strimming around benches, I-ter bins, artwork, signs etc Turf repar s Strimming around benches, Ntter bins, artwork, signs etc

Strimmina around benches, litter bins, artwor1<, sians etc Strimmn a around benches, litter brls, art'NOr1<, sians etc

Arts Centre

Secret garden Remove wnter bedding Control v.oeeds Remove sunmer bedding Control v.oeeds CLL

Plant summer bedding lrrigaton Plant w inter bedding CLL

Spring feed Autumn feed CLL

Trim Taxus Trim Taxus CLL Clip box hedging C lip box hedging BFC

Autumn feed BFC Control v.oeeds Control v.oeeds Control weeds Control v.oeeds BFC

Trim Lavandula and Rosmarrlus to maintarl oompact habt Deadhead Lavandula and Rosmarin us after f lov.oering BFC

Trim Buxus Trim Buxus BFC

Mow to 20-40mm, arisrlgs boxed off Mow to 20-40mm, arisings boxed off Mow to 20-40mm, a risings boxed off Mow to 20-40mm, arish gs boxed off BTC(turf)

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117

(M� r-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (S�fW,lov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

Secret garden feature Regular monitoring for safety and condlion Regular monitoring fo r safet)t and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condlion BFC

Italian garden Remove wilier bedding Irrigation Remove summer bedding Control weeds CLL Plant summer bedding Control weeds Plant winter bedding CLL

Mulching Deadhead Lavandula and Rosmannus after flowering Aulumn feed Prune Vl is mD'Ninter, ensure sap not bleedrlg BFC Sp<ing feed Trim Taxus and Buxus Control weeds BFC

Control weeds Tran and tie in Vitis Trim Buxus BFC Trim Lavandula and Rosmarilus to maintain oompact habit Train and tie in V itis BFC Trim Taxus BFC

Italian garden fountain Check water levels and top up as required Check water levels ar,d top up as requr ed Check water levels and top up as required Oran and clean fountain BFC Turn fountain timer on (early March) Monitor water quality Tum fountain t imer off (late Nov) Monitor water quality Monitor water aualitv Monitor water auaitv

Fonnal grass areas MON to 20.40mm, arisi1gs boxed off MON to 20.40mm, arisings boxed off Mow to 2040mm, arisings boxed off MON to 20.40mm, arisi1gs boxed off BTC Turf repairs Turf repal's

Turf aeration and scarification Turf aeration and scarifC8lion S0<ina feed

Terrace beds Sp<ing feed Control Vv'8edS Autumn feed Control Vv'8edS BFC Control weeds Deadhead herbaceous perennials for second flush Control weeds BFC SON Cleome seed Llt and d~ide herbaceous perennials every 3-5yrs BFC Replant Dahlias after last frost Lift Dahlias after first frost BFC Edging Edging Edging Edging BFC

Monitor and repair hazel hoop fenci1g Monitor and repair hazel hoop fenciig Monitor and repair hazel hoop fencing Monitor and repair hazel hoop fenciig BFC Soft mulch CLL

Mansion beds Trim Lavandula and Rosmarflus to maintafl compact habit Deadhead herbaceous perennials for second flush Llt and d~ide herbaceous perennials every 3-5yrs Soft mulch BFC Cut back Epimedium leaves before flowering Trim Rosmarinus after flowering Remove dead foiage from Heuchera Maintain flower heads, of Ali um for wrlter interest

Feed Taxus i1 containers on terrace Container maintenance Feed Taxus in containers on terrace Container maintenance Rose courtyard Sp<ing feed Control Vv'8edS Autumn feed Control Vv'8edS BFC

Control weeds Deadhead Lavandula after flowering for second flush Control weeds Trim Lavandula to maintain compact habit Deadhead roses Prune roses

Prune roses Trim Buxus Trim Buxus Trim Taxus

Soft mulch CLL Rose courtyard map Regular monitoring and cleaniig as requl'ed Regular monitoring and cleaning as required Regular monitoring and d eaning as required Regular monitoring and cleaning as required BFC and plaque

Yew hedging Trim Taxus Trim Taxus CLL Replace Taxus hedging if required BFC

Yew walk Sp<ing feed Control weeds Autumn feed Control weeds BFC Control v-.ieeds Trim Taxus Control weeds

Trim Taxus Deadhead herbaceous perennials for second flush Lift and dNide herbaceous perennials every 3-Syrs Prune roses Stool Com us for winter stem colour before bud break Prune bad</ thin out Spirea after flowering Trim Potenlilla after flowering Trim Salvia and Potentilla to marltain compact habit Deadhead and tie i1 roses Deadhead and tie in roses Maintenance of Taxus containers Irrigation Taxus i1 co11tainers

Soft mulch CLL Western entrance Cut back Epimedium leaves before flov-.iering Trim Buxus Trim Buxus BFC

Control weeds Prune Lonicera if required Control weeds

Control weeds Amenity grass areas Mow to 25-75mm, arisrlgs let f~ Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisrlgs let fly BTC

Turf repairs Strimming around benches, Iller bins, artwork, signs etc Turf repat s Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork, signs etc Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork, signs etc Strimmi1g around benches, litter biis, artwork, signs etc

South Hill Park: M

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118

(Mar-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (Se!M'lov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

Front courtyard Spring feed Control -weeds Autumn feed Control weeds BFC Control weeds Trim Rosmarin us after flo......ering Control weeds Mulching Trim Rosmarinus to maintain compact habit Deadhead herbaceous perennials for second flush Lift and divide herbaceous perennials every 3-5yrs Cut bad< old growth of Astilbe Prune Hydrangea petiolaris after flowering

Cut back Epimedium leaves before flowering

Remove dead foiage from Heuchera

The Board Frog (Bull) Trim Hedera around scupture Control weeds in gravel base Trim Hedera around so.ilpture BFC

sculpture Control "Needs in gravel base Control weeds in gravel base

Car park beds Spring feed Control v.oeeds Autumn feed Control v.oeeds BFC Control weeds Prune Lonicera if required Control weeds

Cut bad< old growth of Aslilbe Prune Deuztia to maintain compact hab~

Prune Mahonia after flowering Woodv mulch CLL

Beech hedging Control weeds Control weeds Control weeds Control v.,,eeds BFC

Irrigation as required Mulching

Trim to square prone, 1.5m heioht Trim to square profile, 1.5m heioht CLL Wildftower area Meadoo annual cut to 75mm BTC

Rake off clippings

Trees Weed & edge tree cirdes Weed & edge tree circles Weed & edge tree crcles Weed & edge tree circles BFC Mulch tree circles Irrigate ne'My planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting


Mulch new~ p lanted trees Remove epicom,ic grooth on limes

Reoular tree inspections

South Lawn

Amenity grass areas Moo to 25-75mm, arisrlgs let f~ Moo to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25•75mm, arisings let fly Moo to 25-75mm, arisllgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Strimming around benches, litter bins, a/"Mlork, signs etc Turf repal"s Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork, signs etc Turf aeration and scarification (verti drain) Maintain definitbn to lawn edges Turf aeration and scarification (dlaf'I harrow) Spring feed Maf'ltain definlion to lawn edges

Maintain definition to lawn edges Strimm l"'lg around benches, litter bl"'ls, art'NOrk, signs etc Strimmino around benches, litter bins, art-Nork, sions etc

Mature shrubs on Selective reduction/removal of shrubs Selective reduction/removal of shrubs BFC mound

Trees Weed & edge tree cirdes Weed & edge tree circles Weed & edge tree crcles Weed & edge tree circles BFC Mulch tree circles Irrigate ne'My planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting

Regular tree inspections Formative tree pruning Mulch new~ p lanted trees Remove epicom,ic grooth on limes Reoular tree insoections

OwVbat boxes Une o'M box with soil & wood shavings Empty owl box to avoid squl"rel use BFC

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119

(Mar-May) Summar (June-Aug) Autumn (Sap.Nov) Winter (Dac·Fab) Whoby

Toddlers Play Garden Weekly safety llspections Weekly safety inspections Week~ safety inspections Weekly sciety inspections BFC Six monthly rldependent site inspectbn Fork over ban< muk::h Six monthly independent site inspection

Monitor and top up sand Monitor and top up sand Monitor and top up sand Monitor and top up sand

Prune Cotoneaster if required Deadhead herbaceous perennials for second flush Lift and divide herbaceous perennials every 3-5yrs

Trim Lavandula Trim Rosmarinus after flowering Cut back Epim edium leaves before f lowering

Stool Camus for winter stem cobur before bud break

Totem sculpture Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage BFC

Gravijy XII sculpture Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage BFC

unmed sculpture Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage BFC

Birch Hill Banks

Amenity grass areas Mow to 25-75mm, arisi'lgs let f~ Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25•75mm, a risings let fly Mow to 25,75mm, aris i'lgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Turf repai's

Trees Weed tree circles Weed tree cirdes Weed tree c ircles Weed tree cirdes BTC Irrigate newly planted trees Check t ree stake s and ties Tree planting

Regular tree inspectOns Formative tree pruning

Mulch nev.~ planted trees Remove epiconnic growth on limes

Regular tree inspectOns

Play area Weekly safefy iispections Weekly safefy inspections Week~ safety inspections Weekly sa'efy inspections BTC Annual lldependent site Jlspecton

South Lake

Lake Remove debris, itter from lake Remove debris, litter f rom lake Remove debris, litter from lake Remove debris, litter from lake BFC Plant aquatic species

Ripple W all sculpture Monitor for safety and damage Monitor for safety and damage Monitor fo r safety and damage Monitor for safety a nd damage BFC

Fk>ating fountain Clean filter Clean f iler BFC Inspect and c lean f loat, mooring i nes lmpect and dean float, mooring tines

Fk>ating island Remove debris and lit ter Remove debris and litter BFC

(due for installation Cut back Lythrum to 18'' Check annually for replanting requirements 201 3) ChanQe t imer as cbcks chanQe ChanQe timer a s clocks chanQe

Bridge Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular rronitodng for safety and condtion BFC Surveyor general inspectOn every 3 yr.. Highways

Surveyor detailed i'lspection every 9 yr..

lnlet/ouUet Clear overflow of leaves/debris Clear overflow of leaves/debris Clear overflow of leaves/debris Clear overflow of leaves/debris Thames

Water

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ring (Illar-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (Se!M'lov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

LWebuoys Regular monitoring for safety and condtion Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and condition Regular monitoring for safety and cond~ion BFC

Ensure present in proper housing prnvOed Ensure present in proper housing provided Ensure present in proper housing provided Ensure present in proper housing provided

Amenity g rns edges MW! to 2~7,mm, •nsngs let f~ MW! to 2~ 70mm, ari~ngs let fly Mow to 2>·7omm, artsings let fly MW! to 2~ 70mm, arisngs let fly 6TC Turf repairs Strimming around benches, ltter bins, arY/ork, signs etc Turf repaW-s Strimming around benches, litter bins, artvwork, signs etc Strimming around benches, litter bins, art'M>rk, signs etc Strimmrlg around benches, litter brls, artv.ork, signs etc

Lake margins Remove invasive species (e.g. bamboo) Remove invasive species (e.g . bamboo) Remove Jlvasive species (e.g . bamboo) Remove invasive species (e.g . bamboo) BFC

Plant marginal species Strim brambles if required Strim brambles if required Selective overhanging branch removal

Strim brambles if requf ed Strim brambles if required

Sbol Comus for winter stem cobur befOfe bud break Maintain vistas/views of house

Regular monitOfing of bankside erosion Regular monitoring of bank side e rosion Regular monitoring of bankside erosion Regular monitoring of bankside erosion

Cut back and cover Gunnera before first frost

Trees Weed tree circ les Weed tree cirdes Weed tree circles Weed tree cirdes BFC Irrigate ne'My planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting


Mulc h new~ p lanted trees

Reaular tree inspections

Shrubbery

Woodland trees Transplant seedings Irrigate ne'My planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting BFC Regular tree inspections Selective tree felling


Reqular tree inspections

Understorey Replant understor,ey species Remove invasives e.g . Rhododendron ponticum, bamboo Remove selected brambles etc. from understorey Remove invasives e .g . Rhododendron ponticum, bamboo BFC

Remove selected brambles etc. from understorey Prune back overhanging branches 3m from paths

Prune back overhaooina branches 3m from paths I Cvcical understorev c learance on 3-Svr cvde

Amenity grass areas M()IN to 25-75mm, arisr'lgs let f~ M()IN to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly M()IN to 25-75mm, arisr'lgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Strimming around benches, lt ter bins, artNork, signs etc Turf repal"s Strimming around benches, litter bins, artvwork, signs etc

Strimmina around benches, litter bins, art'NOrk, sians e tc Strimmrla around benches, litter br'ls, art'NOrk, s ians etc

B irch Hill Woods

Woodland trees Transplant seedings Irrigate ne'My planted trees Check tree stakes and ties Tree planting BFC Regular tree inspections Selective tree felling


Regular tree inspections

OwVbat boxes Regular monitoring and repair if required Regular monitoring and repair if required BFC

Understorey Replant understor,ey species Cut back understorey next to paths up to 3m Remove selected bramble s etc. from understorey Cut back understorey next to paths up to 3.m BFC

Remove invasives e.g . Rhododendron, laurel, bamboo Remove invasives e .g . Rhododendron, laurel, bamboo

Remove selected brambles etc. from understorev Strim bramble before sprina bulbs

Ornamental planting Cut back Bergenia dead leaves Dead head Bergenia after flowering BFC Prune Caryopteris as buds break Deadhead Pieris after f l()INering

Stool Co mus for winter stem co b ur befOfe bud break

Prune Oeuztia and V inca to maintain compact habit

Prune Kerria after f lONerilg

Woody mulch CLL Native planting Deadhead Viola if requf ed Deadhead herbaceous perennials after f lowering Prune back dead leaves of Heleborus BFC

Hazel coppice Coppice hazel BFC

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(Mar-May) Summer(June-Aug) Autumn (Se!H'lov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

Woodland benches Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC

Amenity grass areas Mow to 25-75mm, arisllgs let fty Mow to 25-75mm, arisings let fly Mow to 25-75mm, a risings let f ly Mow to 25-75mm, aris llgs let fly BTC Turf repairs Strimming around benches, litter bins, artwork, signs etc Turf repar s Strimming around benches, litter bins, art'NOrk, signs etc Strimming around benches, litter bins, art-Nork, signs etc Strimmn g around benches, litter bfls , artworrt, signs etc

Ampitheatre Strim grass every other -.veek or as required Strim grass every other week or as required Strim grass every other week or as required Strim grass every other week or as required BFC

Wooden steps Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC

Generic features

Waymarker signs Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC Clean waymarkers Clean waymarkers

Directional signs Regular monitOfing for safety and damage Regular monitOfing for safety and damage Regular monitoring fOf safety and damage Regular monitOfing for safety and damage BFC Clean sgns Treat annually w t h Sadolin Classic Lght Oak Clean s igns

Hawthorn benches Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC & BTC

Ornamental benches Regular monitOfing for safety and damage Regular monitOfing for safety and damage Regular monitoring fOf safety and damage Regular monitOfing for safety and damage BFC Repaint / touch up as required (green)

CEDEC paths Remove leaves, debris • leaf blO'lv'er on low power only Remove leaves, debris • leaf blower on low power only Remove leaves, debris • leaf blower on low power only Remove leaves, debris • leaf blower on low power only BFC Top up CEDEC if required Cut back overhanging branches Cut back overhanging branches

Tar and chip paths SVv'eep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris S-.veep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris SVv'eep/blow paths to remove leaves, debris Sweep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris BFC Cut back overhanging bfanches Cut back overhanging bfanches & BTC

Resin bound paths SVv'eep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris S..veep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris S'vVeep/blow paths to remove leaves, debris Sv,,,eep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris BFC Clean paths if required (cold water < 150bar pressure) Cut bad< overhanging branches Clean paths if requred (cokl water < 150bar pressure) Cut bad< overhanging branches &BTC Ensure lance is at least 200mm from resin surface Ensure lance is at least 200mm from resin surface

Yorkstone paving S'vVeep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debfis S1Neep!l:>low paths to remove leaves, debris S-...veep/blow paths to remove leaves, debris S1Neep!l:>ICM' paths to remove leaves, debris BFC Hose and brush as required (no high pressure) Hose and brush as requi'ed (no high pressure) Hose and brush as required (no high pressure) &SHPT Algal treatment a s required Abal t re atme nt a s re quired Alga l treatment a s required Abal t reatment as required (snow)

Electric boxes Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC &SHPT

Litter bins Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage Regular monitoring for safety and damage BFC Clean bins Check for rust, repaint as required Clean bins & BTC

Car park roads Check lighting Check !iJhting Clear leaves Clear snow/ice (BTC access to snow plough) SHPT Check line markflg Check surfaces for safety and damage Check lighting Check liJhting &BFC Roads-...veeper to clean car par1< Road&Neeper to c lean car park Check surfaces for safety and damage

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(Mar-May) Summer (June-Aug) Autumn (Se~ov) Winter (Dec-Feb) Whoby

Drains Clean draJls Clean drains BFC &SHPT

Gates and railings/ Regular cleaning and maintenance Regular cleaning and maintenance Regular cleaning and maintenance Regular c leaning and maintenance BFC historic structures Repaint I touch up as required (green/grey)

Vehicles and Regular cleaning and maintenance Regular cleaning and maintenance Regular cleaning a nd maintenance Regular cleaning and maintenance BFC equipment Annual servicing

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YEAR & COST (£) 201 2/13 201 3/14 2014/15 201 5/16 201 6/17 2017/18 201 8/19

Grounds Maintenance Grass Cutting /Strimming/ Leaf Clearance 26,000 26,650 27,320 28,000 28,700 29,420 30,160 Planting and Mulching of Beds and Borders/ Hedqe Cuttino 13,000 13,330 13,660 14,000 14,350 14,710 15,080 Servicing of Litter Bins / Litter Picking / Waste Disposal 9,000 9,230 9,460 9,700 9,940 10,190 10,440 Tree Works / Path Surfacing/ Stone and Metalwork Repairs 14,000 14,350 14,710 15,080 15,460 15,850 16,250 Tools and Equipment 5,000 5,130 5,260 5,390 5,520 5,660 5,810 Materials 2,500 2,570 2,640 2,710 2,780 2,850 2,920 Visitor Services/ Marketing Events and Publicity 12,000 12,300 12,610 12,930 13,260 13,590 13,930 Servicing of Public Toilets/ Utilities 12,000 12,300 12,610 12,930 13,250 13,580 13,920 Staffing Park Manager 40,000 41 ,000 42,030 43,080 44,160 45,260 46,390 Gardener 23,000 23,580 24,170 24,770 25,390 26,020 26,670 Other Staff Costs (1) 12,000 12,310 12,620 12,940 13,260 13,590 13,940 Office Accomodation 3,000 3,080 3,160 3,240 3,320 3,400 3,490 TOTAL 171 ,500 175,830 180,250 184 ,770 189,390 194,120 199,000

( 1) This includes training costs for the Park Manager and Gardener, plus officer support from the Bracknell Town Council Recreational Facilities Manager; South Hill Park Facilities Manager, Duty Managers and Front Desk; and the Bracknell Forest

201 9/20 2020/21 2021/22

30,910 31 ,680 32,470

15,460 15,850 16,250

10,700 10,960 11 ,240

16,660 17,080 17,500 5,960 6,110 6 ,260 2,990 3,060 3,140

14,280 14,640 15,000 14,270 14,630 15,000

47,550 48,740 49,960 27,340 28,020 28,720 14,290 14,650 15,010

3,580 3,670 3,760 203,990 209,090 214,310

9. Financial Plan Table 5: South Hill Park 10 year Revenue Budget

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10. Monitoring and Review The implementation of this MMP will be administered and monitored by the

Park Grounds Group (Joint Management Committee). Day to day

implementation of prescriptions set out in the plan will be co-ordinated by the

South Hill Park Manager.

This MMP is subject to annual review and full update after ten years (in

2021). The MMP forms the core document as part of an overall Park

Maintenance Manual.

This will comprise the following documents:

• Conservation Management Plan

• Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan

• Audience Development Plan

• Volunteer Action Plan

• Training Plan

• Park Surveys:

1. Tree Surveys

2. Ecology Surveys

3. Rhododendron Surveys

4. Visitor Surveys

5. Structural Condition Surveys

• As Built Drawings

• Operations and Maintenance Manuals

Monitoring procedures in place and to be enhanced through the

implementation of this MMP are as follows:

• Visitor Surveys as described in the ADP

• Ongoing contract/in house team monitoring in accordance with current

procedures and safety inspections

• Five year arboricultural surveys and annual inspections

• Ecological surveys and monitoring

• Structural and other condition surveys

• Quality audit in accordance with Greenspace Audit 2012 report,

carried out on a 4-5 year cycle.

125

on historic Rhododendrons

at South Hill Park, Bracknell, Berkshire

Plant 6 Rhododendron pouticum x catawbieuse

Commissioned by Bracknell Forest Borough Council

4th March 2013

LEAR ASSOCIATES new landscapes, arboreta and historic gardens

11. Appendices Appendix 1: Report on historic Rhododendrons at South Hill Park byMichael Lear Associates

126

Introduction

A visit to inspect the Rhododendrons currently growing at South Hill Park was made at the request of Richard Scrivener on 19"' Jan 2009. The purpose of this visit was to assess the possibilny that their historical significance had been overlooked in the preparation of the Conservation Plan (Couch et al 2005). Preliminary findings indicated that the Rhododendrons at South Hill Park are in the main part close to R. ponticum but with evidence of some hybridity with R. maximum and R. catawbiense suggested by the variety in leaf form observed. Recent work at Highclere Castle (Hanis). W illey Court (Worcs) and Townley Park (Lanes) has revealed that these hybrid types are such are characteristic of early 19"' century garden design. Contemporaneous accounts in horticultural journals acclaimed the reflection in lakes (notably at Highclere) and there is evidence that Rhododendrons fom1ed a picturesque element in the ornamentation of woodlands at Townley. The Rhododendron seen at South Hill Park are similar in fom1 and habn to those found in these gardens/parks .

The South Hill Park Historical Report (Ballard 2004) and Conservation Plan (Couch 2005) indicate that the estate was enlarged by the Earl of Limerick who owned South Hill between 1810 and 1847. Around this time, the pleasure grounds south of the house began to be developed, and the 1843 Tnhe Map shows the pleasure grounds with 'a wooded pleasure ground and continuous shrubbery west of 2 southern lakes' (Couch 2005:3.4.2). Neither report attributes much significance to this phase in the history, instead focusing on the later changes made (1 853-1891) during the ownership of Sir William Hayter and his son. Nonetheless it would appear that the wooded pleasure ground and dense lakeside shrubberies were not much changed during this period.

No survey of Rhododendrons was carried out during the preparation of the Conservation Plan and only a partial tree survey completed. Tree date estimates (Couch 2005:4.3.1) indicate that 32% of the surviving trees were planted between 1800-1850 thereby suggesting that the landscape as created by the Earl of Limerick remains at least in part intact although this has been overlooked in the statement of significance (2005:5.00).

It is entirely probable that Rhododendrons fom1 part of the historic fabric of South Hill Park. It is of particular interest to note that there appears to have been little or no subsequent development of Rhododendron planting in the park and indeed, the absence of hardy hybrid and 20th century varieties adds to the significance of South Hill Parle (These later types are a feature of Lily Hill Park, Bracknell). It was recommended that follow up visits were made to inspect the rhododendrons in flower - this report is record of this work .

1.2 Lear Associates

Lear Associates I is a landscape consultancy specialising in the heritage sector and known for work in identification and ageing of exotic trees and shrubs. They have worked on rhododendron collections throughout the UK including the world famous rhododendron gardens belong to the de Rothschilds at Exbury, near Southampton; landscape gardens such as Stourhead, Wiltshire for the Nat ional Trust ; Willey Court, Worcestershire, Chiswick and Kenwood, London for English Heritage. Historic parks such those at Wentworth Castle, Yorkshire; Langley Park, Slough; Townley Park, Lanes; Stamford Park, Tam eside; Danbury Park, Essex which are all owned by local authomies and hav e undergone substantial restoration . Locally, Lear Associates worked on the HLF restoration of Starch Copse for Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Michael Lear and Beverley Lear are members of the Register of Support Services to the HLF and Michael is a member of the National Trust's Gardens and Parks Panel.

2. Summary of Findings

A series of visits were made in 2009 and 2010 to assess the historic Rhododendrons at South Hill Park. Appendix 1 sets out the field work findings and the locations are in Appendix 2. Probably between 50 and 100 plants were seen in flower, however only 16 were noted for more detailed study. The 16 plants described cover the range of historic plantings at the property, Rhododendrons can only identified when in flower but it is not considered that there plants in flower before the end of April. The plants surveyed are typically in flower from May to middle June.

1 Lear Associates. 8 East Street. Oxford. OX2 DAU. EmaiJ: [email protected]. T el: 0 1865 725046: Mobile: 077 11 668382

127

he range of flower colour is very slight with the majority of shades of mauve arnd mauve pink. When the flowers are in bud they are darker but this fades as the flowers expand. The darkest are plants 15 and 16 the palest is plant 14.

A good indication of 'improved' or 'selected' fom1s is a larger corolla and the tighter, more rounded truss (a collection of flowers on a common stalk), the best trusses are plants 1 & 6 and this is due to the influence of R.catawbiense.

Foliage characters are also indicators of hybridity and selection. Plants 1, 4 & 6 have the most 'selected' foliage, which appears broader and flatter and sets off the truss more effectively. Again this is the influence of R.cafawbiense on R.ponticum. If a single plant had to be propagated to perpetuate all these good features, it would be plant 6 which is in the side tarmac path on the east of the p roperty.

Gallery of So uth Hill Park Rhododend rons

01 R catawb,ense x pont,cum 01 R catawbiense x pont,cum This form has large individual corolla (flower) This form has large individual corolla (flower)

03 R.ponticum (80%) 03 R.ponticum (80%)

128

4 R.ponticum (90%) x catawbiense

05 R.ponticum This is one of the tallest plants surveyed (approx 6.Sm)

129

R pont,cum x catawbiense This 1s the best form su,veyed, with well rounded trusses and handsome foha e

06 R.ponticum x catawbiense. This is the best form su,veyed, with well rounded trusses and handsome folia e

07 R.ponticum x

06

130

R.ponticum x maximum Probabl the alest of flowers surve d

In summary, whilst many of the plants can be classified as R.ponticum, there were also a significant number of early ponticum x catawbiense and ponticum x maximum hybrids. It is not possible to attribute cultivar (trade) names to these very early hybrids. These hybrid plants were found only along the path margins and might be assumed to be part of an early 19th century infom1al planting scheme. Since R. catawbiense was not introduced until 1809, this points to a planting date of no earlier than 1815. Limited self-seeding of R. ponticum was observed. This is significant, since it is probable that the plants that remain also date from the original scheme and have spread out largely by means of layering.

J. Statem ent of Importance

As individual plants, none of the Rhododendrons are exceptionally important: yet, the relative lack of diversity and absence of later nineteenth century hybrids make the South Hill Park plantings significant precisely because they represent the very earliest types of hybrids dating from the beginning of the nineteenth century to around the 1840s and represent general landscaping stock which would have been cheaply and readily available. It is likely that the Rhododendrons accompanied the major exotic tree planting'. To understand South Hill Park it is impor1ant to recognise what is not present. For example the palette is very different to that found at Starch Copse which is typified by planting of the late 19'" century & early 20m century Hardy Hybrids.

4. Contextual History of Rhododend rons in Gardens

Rhododendron maximum was introduced to Britain from America in 1736, and this was to be become one of the 5 'foundation' species which fom1ed the first rhododendron hybrids. The first hybrids or 'crosses' were made around 1775-1780, following the important introduction of R. ponticum from Gibraltar in 1763. R.ponticum itself became commercially available in the 1780s, and even then it was not widely distributed and treated as a horticultural speciality supplied by only a few London nurseries 3 . The introduction of R. caucasicum, in 1803 and R. catawbiense in 1809 completed the initial quartet. It is assumed that fonns of R. ponticum and early hybrids were selected on the basis of flower colour, size and density of the truss and quality of foliage, since these are key features which distinguish between ordinary ponticum and the plants used in prominent positions.

It is thought that the first rhododendron hybrids were raised around 1811 at Knap Hill, Surrey, although initially these may have been chance seedlings arising because the core species were growing together in the nursery. What resulted was a range of late flowering (June) hybrids in various shades of mauve and light pink . However, it was not

1 Cedar of Lebanon (On east o f garden) near Frobisher . felled in May 20 10 . ring oounted to indicate pla nting year o f c t849. The tree had a basal

girth of 665cm.

3 W .J.Bean 7 reea and Shrubs Hardy in the British lcles' ( 1976:742-3)

14

132

l 1825 when red flowered R. arboreum ' , the 5"' foundation species was introduced to the blood-lines that hybridisation work began in earnest. It is significant that none of these early arboreum hybrids have been noted at South Hill Park.

By 1829 it was noted that R.ponticum freely self seeded in the woods at Fonthill, Wiltshire5 and by the 1840's R.ponticum had become popular as a woodland species planted for game cover. In 184 1, the head gardener at

Dropmore advocated broad-casting R. ponticum seed in woodlands, further noting that R. catawbiense and its varieties were more beautiful than ponticum and should be planted near walks and at the margins of woods 6 . In 1855 it is noted that Standish and Noble were grafting selected hybrids onto rootstocks of R. ponticum'. By the 1860's 1he popularity of ponticum for anything other than utility planting in woodlands had began to wane.

By the 1860's the breeding of hardy rhododendrons was in full flood". Hardy Hybrid' is a tem1 developed by the

nursery trade to describe 2' 0 and 3"' generation hybrids of R. ponticum, R.catawbiense, R. caucasicum, R. maximum, and R. arboreum raised from mid to late 19"' century.

4 the first hybrid was 'AltacJerense' bred in 1826 a t Highclere C astle , Berks.

s A lso ;1 garden in the 'piauresque style '. 6 Gardeners' Chronicle (184 1) p. 85 quoted by Elliott { 1986: 162-3) 'Rhododendron:; in Britfoh Gardens: a chorl hktory' in C . P ostan (ed) The R hododendron Slory: 200 years of P lant Hunting a nd Garden C ult iva tion'. 7 Bean 1976:8 19 e Bean 1976:8 19

133

ix 1

Historic Rhododendrons recorded at South Hill Park Lear Associates

Ref no. location Rhododendron ident Flower colour Notes F 1 in bud, F4 fuD out F6 going ave<

2009101 Near lime c.atawbiense x ponticum V pale lilac, r G (20/G/2009),r :i

20/612009 (21/5/2010) broad leaf, 4 stems. No calyx, very long lvs 9 (to 170mm), pendulous. Tall plant 6.5m tall. and F3 (21/5/2010) 24 flowers per truss, broad leaves,

200910 2 Near Lime ponticum Very pale lilac F6 (20/6/2009).

20/612009 Not that old. broad leaves,

2009103 Near collapsed ponticum (80%) lilac mauve buds, Long leaves,

20/612009 beech (M6) stellate corolla

201010 4 Beech area ponticum (90%) x Pale mauve from Good foliage,

20/612009 catawbiense violet (M4) buds good size truss,

calyx lobes 2.5mm long. Good fom,

200910 5 Near Beech 402 ponticum (100%) Cobalt violet. M6 No calyx, very

20/612009 long lvs 9 (to 170mm), pendulous. Tall plant 6.5m tall. and F3 (21/5/2010) 24 flowers per truss, broad leaves

2009106 Perimeter path ponticum x catawbiense Very pale lilac F6 (20/6/2009)

20/612009 south of lamp and F3 post (21/5/2010) 24

flowers per truss, broad leaves. Good fom1

2009107 Perimeter path ponticum x lilac mauve (M3) . 110mm x 45mm,

20/612009 poor flowers, neat foliage, very broad,

2010108 Lane to 61-88 ponticum (90%) x maximum Narrow foliage

20/612009 Hillbury (10%) 145x32 mm, calyx

lobes 0.5mm long

2009109 Woodland, Ponticum Pinkest at Ordinary, Max

20/612009 tangle north property seen girth 64cm@ end. 0.2m

2009110 Outer edge ponticum (100%) Pale mauve (M3)

20/612009 Small orange/yellow flare

2010111 Roadside? ponticum F6, Good foliage

20/612009

134

1011 2 Roadside ponticum (100%)

20/612009

201011 3 By collapsed ponticum Girth 59cm@

20/612009 Beech 0.1m, 120 rings

counted

201011 4 At back of bed, ponticum x maximum Whitish/ v. Pale FS/6, calyx 3-

20/612009 triangle of path mauve 4mm, 21 in truss, near houses broad lvs, dense

form. Girth 75cm

201011 5 Path, to north of ponticum x maximum x Cobalt violet F3, small calyx,

2 1/512010 6 catawbiense 21 in truss, broad

lvs,

2010116 Lampstand 12 ponticum x maximum Purple F2 2 1/512010

20

135

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136

Appendix 2: Site Inspection Sheet

PARKS & COUNTRYSIDE 6 MONTHLY SITE INSPECTIONS

PROFORMA

Site Name: Location:

Grid Reference (Main Entrance):

Inspection by: Date:

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS (in reference to site map / plan)

137

Priority Actions Priority Target

Date By Whom R ranger C contractor V volunteers O other

Complete (date)

138

PARKS & COUNTRYSIDE 6 MONTHLY SITE INPSECTIONS

PROMPT SHEET

ENTRANCES PATHS (Including approach to site) o Surface condition o Gateways o Drainage o Access Points o Vegetation o Gradients o Gradients o Vehicular o Steps o Pedestrian/horse & cycle o Vehicular access o Erosion o Cycle Ways o Height barriers o Bridle Paths o Sight Lines o Public Rights of Way o Informal paths / Desire lines BOUNDARIES o Fencing NATURAL AND HERITAGE FEATURES o Hedging o Trees o Ditches o Planting / shrubs / lawns o Vegetation o Hedgerows o Trees o Biodiversity / Habitat management o Land Encroachment o Archaeology o Informal Access Points GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SIGNAGE o Specification o Site name o Delivery o Notice board(s) o Advisory Information STREAM/LAKE/POND EMBANKMENTS o Directional / Waymarking & ISLANDS o Interpretation o Erosion o Bylaws o Water Quality o Vegetation FURNITURE / STUCTURES o Levels o Gates o Flow / Channels o Stiles o Lifebuoys o Seating o Litter / Dog Waste bins SPORT & PLAY o Fountains o Pitches o Water Troughs o Courts o Bridges o Fishing o Boardwalks o Play Areas o Shelters o Skate Parks o Piers and Platforms o Wheeled Sports o Dams o Other equipment (e.g. goal posts) o Vehicle Barriers o Camps o Bollards o Walls ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR o Sculptures o Litter o Graffiti CAR PARKS o Dog Fouling o Surface Condition o Fly Tipping o Markings o Garden Waste o Security o Vandalism o Illegal Motorcycles / vehicle use

o Drugs / alcohol

139

Site map to show summary of findings

140

Appendix 3: BFC Quality Assessment Criteria

Parks and Open SpacesSummary of Basic Quality Criteria:

All Parks & Countryside sites should have a well defined entrance with good visibility into the site. Features such as gates should be easy to use and well maintained. The site name should be shown, to include management contact details. Access within the site should be readily identifiable with good sight lines. Paths should be easy to use, well drained and clear of overhanging vegetation.

Where applicable, notice boards should be well located, clean, with any information up to date. Other furniture such as litter bins and seating should be easy to use, in good condition and appropriately located.

Site feature Key element Rating (max 5)

Entrances: • Tidy • Well-signed • Obvious • Unobstructed • Welcoming • Ease of Use (disabled access, inclusive design)

Signage: • Consistent • Provision of basic information to include site name;

who manages the site; relevant contact details • Erected at a consistent and appropriate height • Positioned so clearly visible

Boundaries: (e.g. • Defined hedges, fences, • Well maintained ditches) • Good state of repair

• Appropriate design and materials

Access: • Defined paths • Surface condition • Good drainage • Clear of vegetation

Soft Landscaping / • Areas defined Planting / Grass / • Formal planting well maintained Meadows: • Natural planting managed positively for wildlife

• Management of invasive scrub • Appropriate grass/hay/meadow cutting regime

Trees: • Good condition (no deadwood overhanging entrances, paths, boundaries)

• Under-storey management • Trees managed positively for wildlife • New planting well maintained

Furniture: (e.g. seats, benches, bins, notice boards)

• Consistent styles in keeping with site use i.e. formal or informal

• Well maintained • Well located • Easy to use • Information up to date

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Cleanliness: • Little or no litter • Minimal dog fouling • Graffiti free – no offensive graffiti • Vandalism not evident

Safe and secure: • Does the site feel safe • Good lines of sight to entrances and exits

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Appendix 4: User Survey summary results

Summary Results of Park Users Survey, Jan 2009

Profile: Of 116 respondents, 38% were between 35-54 years old, 38% had dependent

children between 0-4 years old, 42% were socio-economic groups 2-4, 96% were

white/British

The majority (75%) live within 1 mile of the park and walked to the park, most (78%)

visited the park either daily or several times a week, most (71%) stayed less than an

hour during their visit. The majority (91%) visited either alone or with one other adult.

Use of park: The majority (93%) used the park for walking a dog, to get fresh air or go for a walk.

Over the previous year, the use was much more widespread, but most popular

activities included the above (walking, walking the dog), as well as visting the Arts

Centre/Café, cycling, feeding the ducks, enjoying wildlife and attending fair/events.

Most people (59%) visited the café on an occasional basis.

Other comments: Dislikes were most commonly about litter, vandalism and dog fouling. Other

comments raised included shortage of seating, poor signage and untidy appearance

of the park.

Changes the respondants were keen to see included an increase in litter picking,

enhancing the wildlife value of the lakes, more benches, more tables for picnicking,

improved path network and access, restore the fountain, more warden/security

presence in the park, and improvements to the play areas.

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Appendix 5: Comparison of visitor survey results 2009 and 2018

Profile: In 2009 there were 7 respondants, all of whom were between 30-59 years old,

majority (75%) were female, no disability (100%), white British (100%), resident

locally (100%).

In 2018 there were 99 respondants, ages ranging from under 18 – 80+, the majority

(30% were 35-49 years old), most (55%) were female, 3% considered themselves to

have a disability, most were white British (88%), and 98% were resident locally within

the borough.

Use of the park: 1. How often do you visit the park?

2009: Most (82%) visit more than once a week in winter, and all

(100%) visit more than once a week in summer

2018: Most (51%) visit more than once a week in winter, and most

(53%) visit more than once a week in summer

2. How long do you normally stay? 2009: In winter most (33%) stay 1-2 hours

In summer most (40%) stay less than 30 minutes

2018 : In winter most (56%) stay less than 1 hour

In summer most (58%) stay 30 mins - 2 hours

3. Where do you travel from? 2009: All (100%) travelled from home

2018: Most (74%) travelled from home, others came from the shops

(17%) and school or work (9%)

4. How do you travel to the park? 2009: All (100%) travelled on foot

2018: Most (51%) travelled by car, 44% on foot

5. How long does your journey take? 2009: Most journeys (80%) took less than 10 minutes, 40% less than

5 minutes 144

2018: Most journeys (76%) took less than 10 minutes, 27% less than

5 minutes

6. Who do you visit the park with? 2009: 40% visited in a group, 40% visited either in a group or alone

2018: 60% visited in a group, 36% visited alone, 4% visited either

alone or in a group.

7. Who are the group members? 2009: Most (66%) visit with their partners

2018: Most visiting with children (21%), then quite an even split

between friends (16%) and partner (17%).

8. What do you do when you visit the park? 2009: Most popular activities were to relax/think, for peace and quiet,

see birds/wildlife, go for a walk

2018: Most popular activities were to go for a walk, get some fresh

air, to eat/drink and to meet friends

9. How do you rate the design and appearance of the park? 2009: Most (83%) rated it ‘good’

(this is one below ‘very good’, the best option)

2018: Most (75%) rated it ‘very good’, 25% rated it ‘good’

10. How do you rate the standard of cleanliness and maintenance of the park? 2009: Equal split (40:40%) between ‘good’ and ‘fair’

2018: Most (49%) rated it ‘good’, with a further 46% rating it ‘very

good’

11. How easy is it for you to get around the park? 2009: Equal split (50:50%) between ‘very good’ and ‘good’

2015-16: Most (52%) rated it ‘very good’, with a further 48% rating it

‘good’

12. What do you think about the range of visitor facilities available? 2009: Equal split (50:50%) between ‘good’ and ‘fair’

145


good’

13. How do you rate the standard and maintenance of trees/plants/grass? 2009: All (100%) rated it ‘good’

2018: Most (71%) rated it ‘very good’, with a further 29% rating it

‘good’

14. How do you rate the management of nature and wildlife? 2009: Most (75%) rated it ‘good’


good’

15. How do you rate the facilities available for children and their parents? 2009: Equal split (33:33:33%) between ‘very good’, ‘good’ and ‘poor’


good’, (50% rated this ‘not applicable’)

16. What is your overall impression of the park? 2009: Equal split (33:33:33%) between ‘very satisfied’, ‘satisified’ and

‘dissatisified’

2018: Most (61%) were ‘very satisfied’, with a further 39%

‘satisfied’

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Appendix 6: Visitor count sheet

Overall Park and Open Space Information Park or Open Space: Date and Time: Location: Weather: Name of surveyor: Instructions: Tick boxes

Fill in comments if required Identify no. of dogs within comments

Individual Visitor Information ADULT CHILD (under 16) COMMENTS

PEDESTRIAN CHILD IN PUSHCHAIR

CYCLIST

FISHING

DOG WALKER No. of dogs

EXERCISING (e.g. jogger)

INFORMAL SPORT (e.g. football, keep fit)

WHEELCHAIR / MOBILITY SCOOTER

OTHER (eg picnicking)

147

.south Hill Park 1:5ooo@A4

t: 0

1737 noos5 . k Land Management Services e: [email protected]

Visitor count map

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Appendix 7: Audience Development Plan Management Activity Detail Target

Audience Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress

Establish new park management body

Establish a Joint Management Committee and Officers Steering Group to co-ordinate management and maintenance of the park

All BFC, BTC, South Hill Park Trust

Spring 2009

Maintenanc e budget

Body in place, fit for purpose and active

Defined responsibilities/roles; improved value for money; higher standards of maintenance; Visitor survey: increase in Park usage; decrease in management/maintenance complaints

A Joint Management Agreement has been signed by BFC, BTC and SHPAC and Terms of Reference are in place.

The JMC (Grounds Group) is established and meeting three times a year.

BTC now implementing grass cutting regime across the park

Park Manager appointed July 2012.

Visitor surveys ongoing using expertise of Friends Group. Future monitoring required re visitor usage. Key contact Sarah Moore

Project Manager/Park Manager

Full time staff member dedicated to park; available for public contact on regular monthly basis; increased visible presence of staff within park at key times

All Steering Group April 2009 Capital works budget, maintenanc e budget

Improved visitor experience, increased visitor confidence, improved communication between public and BFC staff; reduction in vandalism and anti social behaviour

Visitor surveys: continuous improvement noted over Years 1 and 2; reduction in negative comments; reduction in complaints to site staff and police - 50% in Year 1, 10% year on year thereafter; reduction in perception of and actual anti social behaviour; reduction in reported incidence

Park Manager appointed

Gardener in post and working with community, visitors and police.

Ranger service provides additional support.

Enhanced contact with community police. Marked decrease in incidences of anti social behaviour. Legitimate users responding to any incidences positively. Further Rangers and Ranger service All BFC, Steering 2010 BFC Ranger service

CPSOs and CPSOs to provide additional support

Group, Police maintenanc e budget, Police

and CPSOs providing support across park activities and management

enhancement of liaison with PCSOs.

Users actively involved in Management

Volunteers - see Specialist Interest Groups

All BFC Project Officer and Park Manager

Immediate and continuous

BFC Maintenanc e budget

Active involvement of volunteers in

100% increase in volunteer involvement in year 1; increase by min

Volunteer numbers increased

Participation monitored and regularly

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Management Activity Detail Target


and Volunteers Park management

10% year on year thereafter to Year 5.

recorded.

Local business encouraged to volunteer through community initiatives

Volunteer involvement increased significantly with active Gardening Group (active group of 15-20 members attending every week)

Local businesses actively engaged in volunteer work. E.g. Boehringer Ingelheim – litter picking – 20 personnel on site. Future programme to embrace local businesses and community. Key contact via Ranger service.

Set up Youth Forum to involve young people in park management; junior ranger service

Young people and all other park users

BFC Project Officer and Park Manager

Immediate and continuous

BFC Maintenanc e budget

Forum established

Youth volunteer group set up in year 1; increase numbers by min 10% year on year thereafter to Year 5, Reduction in complaints re antisocial behaviour in visitor surveys for Years 1 to 3

Park Manager and gardener liaising with youth groups.

Partners in Youth project held (run by the Neighbourhood Action Group with funding support from the Police)

July 2012 – Youth Volunteer Group being organised by local community group. Key contact Pat Kennewell, Birch Hill Community Group.

Security Management of the woodlands and main paths to reduce security concerns

All Park maintenance teams

Ongoing BFC Maintenanc e budget

Increased internal visibility; reduction in undergrowth

Visitor surveys: reduction in complaints re anti social behaviour

Ongoing under-storey management. Much improvement completed with increased visibility eg. woodland area opposite Birch Hill Primary school. Key contact Park Manager.

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Management

Activity Detail TargetAudience

Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress

Staff training Identify training needs and set up training programme for staff and volunteers (see also Specialist Interest groups and Volunteers and Volunteer Plan)

All Officers' Steering Group

March 2010 and continuous

BFC Maintenance and training budget

Training programme established and in use

3 staff and 3 volunteers undergoing training each year

All appropriate training undertaken by garden staff on site.

Liaising with volunteers to identify needs and select appropriate trainees.

South Lake Removal of litter and fly tipping from water body

All Park maintenance teams

Continuous BFC Maintenance budget

Litter picking/fly tipping removed weekly or as required

50% reduction in negative comments about the lakes in Year 1 (visitor survey); year on year reduction in negative comments to threshold of < 10% of visitors polled

Pond de-silted as part of capital works

Daily litter picking by staff

Volunteer litter picking – including links to ‘Take Pride’ initiative. Reduction in negative comments. Reversal of comments to positive. Uniformed presence on site enhancing the position. Key contact – Gardener.

Reduction in Increased Dog Park Continuous BFC Increase in use 50% reduction in Permanent staff presence is reducing dog fouling visits from

dog wardens; education of dog owners

owners and all users

maintenance teams; BFC dog wardens

Maintenance budget

of dog bins; decrease in dog fouling

negative comments in Year 1 (visitor survey); year on year reduction in negative comments to threshold of < 10% of visitors polled

incidents of fouling.

Borough wide code of conduct being drafted linked to ‘Paws in the Park’ events

Key contact Ranger service. Ongoing.

Maintain tree Establish and All BFC Feb/June BFC Data base Data base used as Tree surveys carried out 2014. Further data base maintain tree

data base to cover

2010 Maintenance budget

established and ongoing

management tool for tree works; data base updated annually

work and inspections ongoing.

Garden staff to attend aboricultural

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Management

Activity Detail TargetAudience

Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress

arboricultural, historic and visual significance

assessment course.

Tree surveys regularly assessed and updated.

Key contact BFC tree team.

Improve views Reopen historic and significant views; maintain views

All Capital works programme and BFC maintenance

2010 and continuous

Capital works budget, maintenance budget

Views re-established; improved visitor experience

Visitor survey: increased visitor satisfaction

Views restored as part of Stage 2 works

Under-storey management ongoing. Views continue to be restored. Island removed from South Lake as part of phase 2 of restoration project.

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Marketing, Information and Events Activity Detail Target


Community Community arts project All Project Partners Throughout Capital works Community Visitor survey: Public artist designed Arts project to develop a stronger, Steering Group, 2010 budget involvement; increased Park and supplied artwork in re artefact more coherent identity Arts Centre design usage; Borough conjunction with local design, for the park and to raise established; wide survey: schools and Friends image and its profile; artist to work logo image increased Group. identity with community group(s) established awareness;

and create designs for image/logo in use Trails and waymarkers Arts Centre sign on throughout also in place. Design of Ringmead, entrance waymarkers to be re-markers, signage and assessed. Key contact – logo/image to be used Baier Associates. throughout Park and on promotional, interpretive and educational material

Marketing Co-ordination and extension of existing marketing strategies (including educational marketing and access considerations)

All BFC/Arts Centre Throughout 2010

BFC Audience Development budget

Strategies in Place

Increase in visitor numbers and range of visitors

Capital works included specific actions to improve opportunities for outdoor events.

New and improved power supplies to the grounds installed. Amphitheatre now in use.

New power system has increased access to the main lawn.

Maintenance of main lawn to be further enhanced. Key contact Allan Moffat, BTC.

Park Establish Park All Project Partners April 2009 Capital works Arts Centre No. queries Information point Information Information Point at Arts Steering budget staff trained responded to; no. established in house. Point Centre Reception Group/Arts

Centre and equipped to

of leaflets given out Leaflets available from

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provide park arts centre and information; noticeboard relating to log of grounds established queries kept inside the Arts Centre

building.

Key contact – arts centre reception.

Orientation and signage

Install 5 orientation/interpretation panels - one in the main car park, one in north Park, two in south Park, one in Arts Centre

All BFC and Friends May 2010 Capital works budget

Signs installed; visitor experience improved

Visitor survey indicates increased awareness of/satisfaction in Park

Directional signage panels installed and completed.

Monitor requirement for maintenance of all information panels. Key contact – gardener.

Install way markers at All BFC May 2010 Capital works Signs Visitor survey Waymarking for walking key locations to reinforce budget installed shows: increased trails installed and links between the north satisfaction with completed. and south sites, and on Park; increased main pedestrian and visitor access to access routes. both north and

south Park Access Publicise accessibility Elderly and Project Manager May 2010 BFC Audience Details 10% increase in Access improvements information details within Park and

access details to Park in appropriate media, at Park information point and on orientation/ information panels; prepare easy access guide

special needs; families with young children

Development budget

publicised; guide prepared

disabled usage in Year 1; 10% increase in visitors accessing Park by foot/bicycle

undertaken as part of the restoration works – specifically including ramped access to the terrace and path surfacing. South Hill Park included on Disable Go website. Estimated 10% increase in disabled use. Also likewise with parent and toddlers. Pathway

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system has increased foot and cycle access.

South Hill Park Website

Update South Hill Park website

All BFC and Project Manager

Ongoing BFC Audience Development budget

Website regularly updated

Minimum 300 hits per month by end of Year 1

Dedicated South Hill Park section included within the BFC website with a specific page for the restoration project. The Arts Centre website includes downloadable information on site history. Website regularly updated. Key contact – Rose Wicks. BFC website has recently been improved.

Bracknell Forest Heritage Website

South Hill Park page developed for website

All, schools BFC and Project manager

2011 BFC Audience Development budget

Page in place

10% increase in per annum hits year on year for 5 years

Heritage website no longer operational. Information included within relevant areas on the BFC website

Bring the Park into the House and the House into the Park

Park information/interpretation board in Arts Centre (see Interpretation)

Arts Centre users; Park users

Capital works Jan 2010 and continuous

Capital works budget

Board in Arts Centre

Increase in visitors using or having awareness of both the Park and the Arts Centre

Notice board located within the arts centre (outside The Atrium)

Develop Arts Centre programme and marketing which exploits Park

Arts Centre new and potential users

Arts Centre, BFC Arts & Heritage Officer

Ongoing Arts Centre, BFC

Increase in Arts Centre programmes using Park

Minimum 2 no new Park based event/programme in Year 1. Minimum 4 new Park based events/programmes in Years 2 to 5

Restoration project includes infrastructure improvements to facilitate greater use of the grounds (e.g. access improvements and power supply) Close liaison between

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grounds management and arts centre for events. Activities and events organised on a regular basis.

Include house and Arts All Park BFC and others Continuous BFC Audience Events and Increase in visitor Close liaison between Centre in park based users involved in and Development other numbers using all Park Manager and SHP activities (see also Events ongoing budget programmes three elements of Communications officer. Interpretation and programming treat north Park House and grounds Education) Park, south

Park and mansion as an integrated whole

included in combined events (e.g. Heritage Open Day)

Exhibition on Park in the All Park and Arts Centre 1st Arts Centre Exhibition Information on Successful exhibition mansion centre users exhibition retained and exhibition available held in community

complete visited by in Park; 10% of gallery. Park users park users visit

exhibition Events Extend Park specific All BFC Spring BFC budget Events See below See below programme events strategy/ 2010 strategy/

programme (see also programme Interpretation and in place Education) Active/fitness/sporting; All, elderly, BFC Immediate BFC budget Regular and Minimum 6 Buggy walks, Boot camp, build on current events children, Rangers/Friends/ and varied additional and Tai Chi all list (see Appendix 4) parent and specialist continuous activity fitness/activity prospering. options include memory young child, volunteers/local programme events per annum; Drama and arts groups walks and general walks dog walkers, clubs in place and at least one event beginning to spill out onto for the elderly, adult and audiences suitably during winter; the grounds as a product baby buggy walks/runs, who use park advertised minimum four of the project. walking for health, cross at different additional audience Walkactive initiative country events, fitness times of groups involved per being organised. events and classes (day day/week, annum; minimum of All the above are

156



and evening, Pilates in current non 200 participants flourishing. Missed Out the Park, Tai Chi etc), Park users, involved per annum group also utilising the orienteering, children local (excluding cross grounds for events on an activity events, sport sports/activity country annual basis. taster days clubs and

groups run/marathon participants)

Key contact Mark Hooper, SHP.

Launch event All and key stakeholders

BFC On completion of capital works

BFC revenue budget

Event held Raised awareness across Borough; minimum 40 attending

Arrangements organised for an event in spring 2012; themed around a Victorian Fair and Victorian games (involving local schools and linking to the Olympics). July 2012 – due to adverse weather conditions Fayre cancelled and due to be re-scheduled.

Annual shows/events eg All, families BFC, BTC, Arts Immediate BFC Regular Maintain current As above. funfair, green fair, fetes, Centre, Friends, and revenue/partner show/event level of events; new users, corporate local clubs/ continuous organisation programme reduction in events etc; build on organisations budgets plus continues complaints re current events list (see revenue and events Appendix 4); programme generation reviewed reviewed re actual, annually re potential or perceived impact on negative impact on Park Park and and/or other users other users

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Interpretation and Education Activity Detail Target

Audience Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of

Success Progress

Marketing See Marketing, Information and Events

All BFC/Arts centre Continuous BFC Audience Development budget

Strategy in Place

Increase in education related visitor numbers

July 2012 – education pack being assessed by local schools. Feedback awaited from Birch Hill School and Holly Springs.

Interpretative trails

Prepare nature, history, tree and arts trails to include route and interpretation material (combination of leaflet, audio, web based material)

All/special interest groups and local clubs

BFC and Friends Jan 2011 Capital works budget

Trails marked and interpretation material in place

Increase in visitor numbers; 20% of visitors using at least one trail per annum

Trails identified as part of the Artist commission. Waymarkers designed and locations agreed. Site trails map designed. July 2012 – waymarkers installed. Leaflets approved by Community Groups and printed. Distribution via libraries, community centres etc.

Education Establish education related All BFC March Maintenance Events See below See below

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Success Progress

Events programme

events strategy/ programme (see Events and Marketing)

2010 budget strategy/ programme in place

Guided walks programme during restoration works: topics to include restoration of terrace and stone works, lake dredging, new planting, vegetation management, children's walks during school holidays youth walks etc

All, specialist interest groups, local community organisations, children, youth, current non Park users

BFC, contractor, consultant, Friends, Arts Centre

Throughout capital works

Capital works budget

Regular walks programme in place and suitably advertised

Minimum 4 no guided walks per annum; minimum 100 visitors on guided walks per annum; minimum 20 children on guided walks per annum

Walks organised throughout the project to inform residents and visitors on the restoration work. Ongoing programme of park walks. Future incentives from Park Manager.

Guided walks programme (general and ongoing, day evening and weekend): topics could include history/heritage/archaeology/ architecture of Park and buildings, ghosts, trees (history, unusual species etc), natural history (e.g. birds, plants, invertebrates, aquatic life etc), arts in the Park (in association with Arts Centre), children's activity walks

All, specialist interest groups, local clubs and community groups, children, audiences who use the Park at different times of day/week, current non Park users

Project Manager/BFC Rangers/Friends/ specialist volunteers, Arts Centre

Continuous Capital Works/ BFC budget, revenue budget

Regular and varied walks programme in place and suitably advertised

Minimum 4 no guided walks per annum; minimum 100 visitors on guided walks per annum; minimum 20 children on guided walks per annum

Walks organised as part of the Parks & Countryside events programme. Attendance is high and feedback positive.

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Success Progress

Schools programme: Primary Schools

Develop primary school support and education programme; work with Birch Hill Primary School to develop schools programme; topics could include orienteering, mapping, arts, history/maths/geography trails, team building, fitness; to include wet weather provision and offsite 'access'

Primary schools Project Manager/BFC/ Rangers/Schools/Arts centre/ Specialist education charities

Sept 2009 Capital works budget

Schools programme established with short and medium term objectives, detailed work programme, some materials in place and a funding programme

Programme in place, two local primary schools actively involved

Gardener to develop further links with local schools. Activities so far include a time capsule project (buried within restored terrace steps) and orienteering July 2012 – to be combined with education pack.

Primary schools programme ongoing

Primary schools Project Manager/ BFC/Rangers/ school staff

2010 and ongoing

BFC Audience Development budget

Primary schools programme operating

Two local primary schools using Park in year 2; five local primary schools using park by Year 5

As above.

As above. Local primary schools continue to visit park on a regular basis and informally.

Schools Work with The Brackenhale Secondary Easthampstead Park Sept 2010 BFC Schools One local To be Programme: School and other local secondary Schools School/The Audience programme secondary established. Secondary schools to develop educational Brackenhale School Development established school Schools support programme budget with short and

medium term objectives,

actively involved with programme

July 2012 – community leader Pat

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Success Progress

detailed work and funding programme

Kennewell is approaching Birch Hill School. Funding to be decided.

Secondary schools programme ongoing

Secondary schools

BFC Project Manager/ Rangers/school staff

2011 and ongoing

BFC revenue budget

Secondary schools programme operating

One local secondary school using Park in year 2; two secondary schools using park by Year 5

As above.

Education worker

Employ Heritage Officer to service schools

All schools BFC In place BFC revenue budget

Officer continues in place

Positive feedback from target audience

Heritage Officer post no longer in place

Box scheme Create South Hill Park box as part of existing local museum box scheme

All schools BFC, Reading Museum

Jan 2010 BFC revenue budget

Box in place Box loaned to minimum of 6 local schools per annum

Under review.

Participation, Special Interest Groups andVolunteers Activity Detail Target


Volunteer Gardening Group

Increase role and activity of Gardening Group; provide support for

All, specialist interest groups, as required

Volunteers, BFC

Ongoing BFC maintenance budget

Volunteer group 'fit for purpose' and representative of needs and

Volunteer recruitment to 20 per week. Volunteer retention maintained. Involved in minimum four

Volunteer Gardening Group flourishing. Future events are being discussed. Key contact – Park Manager

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volunteering and special interest sections as required, e.g. for natural history, youth and/or education, etc; see also Management

interests projects per annum; special interest groups set up as required

Arts Centre

Continue to build on relationship between the Arts Centre and Park

Arts Centre visitors, Park visitors

Arts Centre, BFC, Friends

Continuous Arts Centre/ BFC

Co-ordinated approach between organisations

Increased Arts Centre visitors using Park; increase in Arts Centre usage of Park

Project Manager worked with SHP Communications officers to promote project completion. Increase use of park by house visitors. July 2012 – project completed and celebrated with HRS Earl of Wessex event. Increase in arts centre usage.

Arts centre staff represented on management board

Management staff

Arts Centre, BFC

Ongoing BFC/Arts Centre

Arts Centre actively involved in park management

Arts Centre appropriately represented at every Board meeting

Arts Centre staff represented on the JMC (Grounds Group), Project Steering Group and Works Team Meetings. July 2012 – JMC and steering group meetings continue with arts centre reps.

Arts Centre staff in regular liaison with other Park related staff

All Arts Centre staff, as appropriate

BFC, Arts Centre

Continuous BFC/Arts Centre

Arts Centre integrated into all levels of Park management

Regular and frequent meetings and liaison between Arts Centre and site staff

Park Manager and Gardener in regular liaison with SHP staff. Collaboration to be further enhanced by Park Manager.

Co-ordination between Arts

All BFC/Arts Centre

Jan 2012 BFC/Arts Centre

Both ADPs exploit

Increase in visitor numbers using Park

Project included in Arts Centre information flow.

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Centre and park ADPs; ensure park features in Arts Centre ADP and vice versa

relationship between Arts Centre and Park and are co-ordinated

and Arts Centre July 2012 – project information included in arts centre information.

Anglers Continue and expand active involvement of anglers and Bracknell Herons in management of the Park

Anglers and other Park users

BFC, Bracknell Herons

Ongoing BFC, Bracknell Herons

Anglers retained as key stakeholder in the Park

Reduced complaints re angling; increase in anglers using the Park; increase in young anglers

Angling club more proactive in bailiffing North lake. Key contact – BTC.

Youth Develop youth involvement in Park to include: youth member(s) on management forum and Friends, youth volunteers (as separate group and/or part of Volunteer programme), Park as location for youth activity programme, youth bus etc

Young people

BFC Youth Workers, Project Officer

Continuous BFC Youth budget, sponsors

Continuous engagement of young people in Park

Minimum of 30 young people regularly involved in the Park

Successful NAG youth initiative held. July 2012 – NAG to be approached at next AGM in September. Key contact chair of NAG Birch Hill.

Climate Change

Climate change action plan involvement

All BFC, Project Partners Steering

Ongoing BFC revenue budget

Management embrace the climate

Climate change targets met

Balancing ponds managed as integral part of the park. New tree planting.

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Group, Officers' Steering group

change initiative

Maintenance of balancing pond to be re-assessed. Further new tree planting undertaken in winter 2012 & 2013.

Others Includes Probation Service, work experience, sheltered housing group, Bracknell Camera Club, other local clubs and groups

All Project Manager, Park Manager

Continuous BFC revenue budget, Special Interest Groups

Increased use of Arts Centre and Park as a venue for local specialist groups

Involvement of all existing users can continue to existing or higher standard; minimum of 3 no. additional special interest groups involved by Year 3

Clubs and organisations utilising the grounds more extensively e.g. fitness groups (such as buggy classes for mothers) Bracknell Camera Club recorded the restoration works and have published a photo book to commemorate the restoration. Further copies are available. Key contact – Jeff Lawrence, Bracknell Camera Club.

Training See Training Plan

Volunteers See Volunteer Action Plan

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Appendix 8: Volunteer Action Plan

South Hill Park Volunteer Action Plan

Our Vision Statement

“To help more people to take an active part in and make decisions about their environment and heritage.”

1. Introduction BFC is committed to volunteering as a way of increasing community participation in Bracknell’s environment and future.

Volunteering gives a wide variety of people the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience while caring for and maintaining places. Community participation also helps people take an active part in a project and provides an environment where individuals can make decisions about their shared heritage and achieve a greater sense of community ownership. At South Hill Park, volunteering will play a key role in the restoration, management and interpretation of the park.

Volunteering will help us to contribute to HLF’s learning aim: “help people to learn about their own and other people’s heritage”

and participation aim “help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about heritage”

2. The Current Situation Volunteers have been involved with Bracknell Forest Council’s Parks and Countryside Department, which includes South Hill Park, for over 20 years.

Volunteer involvement in South Hill Park has included the following groups:

• Bracknell Forest Natural History Society • Bracknell Conservation Volunteers • Berkshire Conservation Volunteers • Windsor and Maidenhead Volunteers • Bracknell Urban Wildlife Group • Hedgerows & Woodland Conservationists

In December 2008, The Friends of South Hill Park Grounds Group was initiated, and is comprised of people who are enthusiastic about South Hill Park and its future. This group is flourishing and benefits greatly from its inaugural Chair, who used to be the Regional Manager of GreenSpace. Under this leadership the group is working to develop a membership structure and appropriate form of governance, to work with the South Hill Park’s site management plan, and to develop practical work programmes as dictated by the park’s needs and the Friends’ interests and abilities.

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3. Key Issues

3.1 Increasing Numbers and Range of Volunteers

The community that embraces South Hill Park is diverse and vibrant, including several schools, churches, sheltered housing, skilled professionals, unemployed people and those with special needs. We wish to reflect that diversity and offer opportunities for a far wider range of local residents and for others from further afield to become involved in the park.

We will also aim to remove any barriers to volunteering such as physical access, financial and time constraints, poor perception of opportunities etc.

We intend to change the way we communicate about volunteering with the local community and special interest groups. We will:

• Continue the use of leaflets • Advertise in Volunteer News • Use project newsletters and site notice boards • Provide information in the Arts Centre, • BFC web site and • Local press • Communicate through the Friends Group and special interest groups within

the Friends • Involve local interest groups and local clubs • Use the events programme • Involve the Arts Centre • Work with the schools programme and • The Youth Programme

3.2 Training Volunteers in New Skills

Volunteers will be supported by training to increase their skills and extend their knowledge base. We will aim to offer training in areas such as

• Heritage research • Education and interpretation • Visitor welcome • Community development skills • Youth leadership and support • Landscape management and maintenance • Survey skills (heritage, nature conservation etc) • Tree skills

3.3 Meeting Volunteer Needs and Motivation

Recognising volunteer needs, aspirations and motivation is key to the ongoing development of South Hill Park. Volunteers must feel valued, useful and appreciated. They must be able to fulfil their own aspirations, feel stimulated and be able to participate within their own constraints (eg time, ability, interest) and achieve their own personal goals.

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Providing a wide range of opportunities will be key to successful volunteering and the programme will look at aspects such as:

• Both regular and one off volunteering opportunities • Range of times for volunteering eg different times of day, day of week,

season of year etc • Range of physical or intellectual demands • Opportunities for different ages or for people at different stages of their life

(e.g. families with young children, working adults, retired people etc) • Opportunities to learn new skills • Opportunities to pass skills on to others • Opportunities to enjoy different activities, meet new people etc

3.4 Management

Volunteers will be overseen and directed by the South Hill Park Gardener in conjunction with the Park Manager. These members of staff will be trained and experienced in the management of volunteers.

Volunteers will:

• Have a description of their volunteering role and what is expected of them • Be given appropriate training • Be provided with Personal Protective Equipment • Be supported in their volunteering • Be made as safe as possible in their volunteering capacity • Have any concerns or questions dealt with promptly • Stop and change their volunteering placement at any time • Have personal information kept in a secure manner

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4 Detailed Volunteer Plan

Task Detail Target Nos:Existing/NewVolunteers (N/E)

Recruitment Management Training and development Budget Evaluation of Achievement

Taster sessions

Volunteering taster session 3 events at 20 per event

N

Park Manager Park Manager, Gardener

As per event BFC budget No. of attendees volunteering in other roles

Stewarding at events

Arts Centre events

Ongoing

10 events x 3 stewards

E and N

Arts Centre Arts Centre Health & Safety

First aid

Arts Centre budget

Increase in range and no. of events programme

No. of volunteers involved

Stewarding for new park events

Minimum 6 events x 2 stewards in 2010

N

Park Manager, Friends Group

Park Manager, Gardener

Health and Safety

Visitor welcome

First aid

Other according to nature of event

BFC budget No. of stewards increasing year on year for 5 years

No. of events increases in line with ADP

Visitor welcome

Volunteers available in park at peak times to help with orientation, information etc

4 volunteers per day in school holidays

N

Park Manager Park Manager, Gardener

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of park and its history

BFC budget Improved visitor experience

Increase in visitor numbers

Wardening Volunteer Rangers 12 per annum

6 N, 6 E

Park Manager BFC Ranger Service

Leadership skills/ people skills

First aid

Knowledge of park and its heritage

BFC budget High retention of volunteer wardens

Increase in visitor satisfaction

Visitor surveys

Annual 10 per survey

N and E

Via volunteers Park Manager Training in survey techniques

BFC budget Surveys carried out

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Access audits Reviewing park access audit

Start in 2012, repeat every 3 years

5 per audit

N

Park Manager Park Manager Training in audit requirements, access issues

BFC budget Audit complete

Creating park trails

Design route of park trails; write and design interpretation material

6 (minimum 2 volunteers per trail)

N and E

Park Manager

Special Interest Groups

Volunteers

Park Manager Initial use of volunteers with specialist knowledge, followed by training of volunteers in trail topics and production of interpretation material

BFC budget Trails complete and way marked

Interpretation material in place

Trails in regular use

Further specialist volunteers trained

Heritage research

Continuing research into park’s heritage

Ongoing

3 in Year 1

6 in year 2

N

Volunteers

Specialist interest Groups

Park Manager Basic research techniques and sources

BFC budget Volunteers trained in survey techniques

Continuing expansion in knowledge of park heritage

Interpretation Involvement of volunteers in all interpretation projects including production and distribution

4

N

Volunteers

Special interest groups

SHPT

SHPT Computer skills

Production skills

BFC budget Volunteers involved in production & distribution of interpretive material

Leading walks

Volunteers leading some themed walks

2 in 2010

4 in 2011

N

Park Manager

Rangers

Friends Group

Specialist Interest Groups

Park Manager Training in public speaking

First aid

BFC budget Number of walks led by volunteers

Increase in range of walk topics

Arts projects Development of park based community arts projects

2

N and E

SHPT SHPT


Outreach

Leadership skills

SHPT budget

Volunteers involved in event development

Projects successfully formulated

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Leading/facilitating projects – 3 projects per annum

6 in Year 1

12 in Year 2

SHPT SHPT Leadership skills

Arts techniques

SHPT budget

BFC budget

Volunteers involved in every project

Range of events increasing/ changing year on year

Events Developing park based community events

4 in 2010

6 in 2011

N

All key partners All key partners Outreach

Leadership skills

Existing budgets

Volunteers involved in event development

Projects successfully formulated

Leading/facilitating/ administrating community events

6 in Year 1

12 in Year 2

All key partners


All keys partners Leadership skills

Specialist techniques (eg play, sport, drama etc)

Existing budgets

Volunteers involved in leading/facilitating/ administration of events

Range of events increasing year on year for 5 years

Play schemes

Play schemes based in park

8 Year 1

12 Year 2

N

BFC

BTC

BFC

BTC

Play skills via Summer of Fun event

BFC/BTC budget

4 schemes run in 2010

6 in 2011 and following years

Website Development 2

N

BFC Park Manager Digital Media Suite Course BFC budget Website extended and improved

Management 2

N

BFC Park Manager Digital Media Suite Course BFC budget Website regularly updated

Land and structure management

Nature conservation and biodiversity

8 in Year 1

12 in Year 2

E and N

Bracknell Forest Natural History Society

Bracknell Forest Natural History Society

Health and Safety

Using tools; chain saw training

Conservation techniques

Leadership

First aid

BFC budget Number of conservation tasks undertaken

Number of volunteers involved

Range of skills developed

Range of training undertaken

Number of tasks undertaken

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Land and structure management cont.

Historic horticulture 12

E

Park Manager and Gardener

Park Manager Health and Safety

Using tools

Historic planting and horticulture

First aid

BFC budget Number of volunteers involved

Range of skills developed

Range of training undertaken

Number of tasks undertaken

Land and structure management cont.

Heritage management 4

N

Bracknell Forest Society


Park Manager Park heritage

Management techniques eg maintenance of stonework (via Reading Museum of Rural Life)

First aid

BFC budget Numbers of volunteers

Range of skills learnt

Youth work Developing and facilitation of park based youth schemes

12

E and N

‘Missed Out’ Group

Friends

Youth Service

SHPT

Park Manager

Leadership skills

Working with young people

Specialist skills according to type of project

First aid

BFC budget

SHPT budget

Number of volunteers/young people involved

Range of projects undertaken

Schools work Leading school groups

Preparing school packs

30

N (incl teachers and parents)

Park Manager

Teachers

Parents

Park Manager Leadership/ teaching skills/ national curriculum

Specialist knowledge according to topic

First aid

School budget

BFC budget

Number of volunteers involved

Number of school visits

Number of schools

Fundraising Fundraising sub group 3

N and E

Friends Group Friends Group Funding raising skills Friends’ budget

Monies raised

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Appendix 9: Training Plan

South Hill Park Training Plan

1 Introduction

1.1 Training is a key mechanism to build and develop the capacity of people. This can be at an individual level through to collective activity.

1.2 With regards to South Hill Park, there is both need and opportunity to develop and deliver a programme of training, targeting the full spectrum of groups actively involved in the site including South Hill Park Grounds staff, other members of the BFC Parks and Countryside team, partnership organisations, consultants, contractors, Friends Group, volunteers and local community groups). This cuts across a wide range of interests and skills pertinent to the cultural importance of South Hill Park and requires engagement of a broad audience.

1.3 Training needs to encompass activities as diverse as customer care and visitor welcome, through to stone masonry and arboriculture.

2 Training Needs Analysis

2.1 An initial analysis of the existing skill base and the training needs identified as a result of this analysis, are presented in the following tables.

2.2 Existing Skills are shown in the tables below:

Table 1 – Existing Partner Organisation Skills

Staff Member Role in Park Skill base

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC)

Land management and maintenance

Site management and maintenance, arboriculture, biodiversity, marketing and promotion, play area inspection, community and volunteer liaison

Bracknell Town Council (BTC)

Supporting management and maintenance

Land management and maintenance, marketing and promotion, play area inspection

South Hill Park Trust (SHPT)

Arts based activities, provision of office base, supporting management and maintenance

Arts, community engagement, education, events management, marketing and promotion

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Table 2 – Existing Volunteer Skills

Volunteer role/group Role in Park Skill base

Volunteer Gardening Group Supporting site maintenance

Visitor counts and surveys

Organising events

Community engagement

Developmental skills

Bracknell Conservation Volunteers

Supporting site maintenance Community engagement

Practical conservation

Horticultural care

Individuals Supporting site maintenance Practical conservation

Horticultural care

Corporate groups Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care

Ravenswood Village Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care

Community pay back Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care

2.3 The skills required in management and maintenance of South Hill Park:

Table 3 – Management and Maintenance Skills Requirements

Skill Role Availability/source Training Requirements

Landscape Long term management and Site Manager Training in heritage maintenance and management

maintenance of park Gardener with support from:

Parks & Countryside Service

BTC grounds maintenance team

Continetal Landscapes Ltd

Volunteers

management / maintenance (e.g. horticulture/ historic structure maintenance); training in wildlife conservation skills

Conservation volunteer training (e.g. tools. H&S, ecology, etc);

Training in ranger support/event stewarding/H&S/First Aid

Arboriculture Long term management and maintenance of trees

Site Manager

Gardener

BFC Tree team

Specialist contractors

Volunteers

Annual appraisal, CPD

Selection of appropriate specialists with in house training strategies / policies

Preparing and maintaining tree data base

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Heritage research Further and more detailed research into park history

Special interest groups

Volunteers

Training in research and archive skills

Volunteer involvement

Long term park management/ volunteer involvement/community involvement/audience development

Site Manager

Gardener

Ranger team

Upgrading/developing relevant skills e.g. supervisory, coaching, work planning

Education and Learning Specialist education officer Upgrading/developing Interpretation

Audience development/volunteer involvement/community involvement

Site Manager

Gardener

heritage and community related skills in education officer/ranger team (to include work with schools

Long term park management Existing BFC posts – Parks & Countryside, Communications

and community, trail development, materials

Volunteers for web site, interpretation and presentation skills)

Specialist Contractors Volunteer training – see Volunteer Action Plan

Events and Audience development/community Site Manager Upgrading/developing Marketing involvement/volunteer involvement

Gardener marketing skills

Existing BFC posts – Parks & Countryside, Communications,

Development of events management skills

Marketing, Rangers

Volunteers

Visitor Welcome Long term park management /volunteer involvement/community involvement/audience development

Site Manager

Gardener

Ranger team

Arts Centre Staff

Volunteers

Upgrading/developing relevant skills site staff

Training for Arts Centre Staff

Volunteer training

Community Long term park management/ Site Manager Upgrading/developing development community involvement/audience

development Gardener park and heritage related skills in BFC staff (e.g. to

Ranger team support involvement of existing community

BFC community support staff groups, develop new

Arts Centre staff initiatives) and use of landscape related skills in

Volunteers Arts Centre staff

Volunteer training – see Volunteer Plan

Youth Involvement Long term park management/ community involvement/audience development

Site Manager

Gardener

Ranger team

BFC youth staff

Volunteers

Youth volunteers/youth forum members

Developing skills in BFC staff (e.g. working with young people)

Volunteer training e.g. youth support volunteers; youth volunteer training e.g. arts, conservation etc, leadership

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3

2.4 In considering the above summary analysis, alongside visitor feedback through consultation, the priorities for training needs can be summarised as follows:

• Land Management and Maintenance – skills sharing between partner organisations to build on the expertise to raise and maintain site quality; including retaining Green Flag Award status. Target groups for training are local community volunteers, Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff, Parks & Countryside Rangers, contractors and Bracknell Town Council grounds maintenance operatives, Friends Group and Volunteers.

• Education, Interpretation and Audience Development – building the capacity and resources to develop and deliver targeted programmes; to include engaging non-users and increasing participation from under represented groups. This will include activities such as oral history, heritage research and on site events; providing contact points for the public to be able to access information about the park and to provide feedback on site management; involving local residents and staff from partner organisations. South Hill Park Arts Centre provides an excellent base for this to flourish. Key target groups for training are Arts Centre Reception staff, café staff, Site Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff, Parks & Countryside Rangers, local community volunteers and Friends Group.

Training Opportunities Arising from the Project

3.1 Continuing Professional Development: deliver options to support CPD for staff in Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council, South Hill Park Trust, contractors, consultants, green space management specialists, conservation specialists and the local community.

3.2 Mentoring/peer support: provide opportunities for capacity building at an individual and organisational level.

3.3 Skill Sharing: deliver options to provide skill sharing in developing a number of the proposals e.g. between youth workers and Arts Centre personnel, education staff and historians (Reading Museum), environmentalists (e.g. Rangers), community workers and site staff, rangers/historians/artists etc.

3.4 Work Placements: provide participatory opportunities for gaining countryside/ park management skills. Develop links with providers such as Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) and landscape/horticulture/ environment degree course at Reading University and elsewhere.

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4

3.5 Work Experience: provision of Key Stage 3 and 4 work experience for students from the local secondary schools e.g. park management/gardening/ rangering/Arts centre. Also work experience/temporary employment for BCA or Reading University landscape students.

3.6 Apprenticeships/graduate apprenticeships: identify opportunities for the provision and/or support of apprenticeships. This could include partner led activities such as horticulture and events management and/or link to contracted works such as stone masonry.

3.7 Community Events: provide conservation and heritage taster days and involve professional organisations in projects with local community groups, e.g. local history group with professional archaeology/heritage organisations.

3.8 Volunteer Development: volunteer development is an important aspect of park development. The Volunteer Gardening Group is flourishing and it is intended to re-establish a conservation group (linked to other existing local organisations such as Bracknell Conservation Volunteers) based at the park. As detailed in the South Hill Park Volunteer Action Plan, there are many opportunities for involving volunteers, including continuing historical research into the park, leading guided walks and walking for health, working with local schools, youth, the Arts Centre and a range of community groups.

Delivering Training

4.3 Delivery of training will be through a combination of methods; to include in house provision (BFC) and utilisation of specialist external providers (such as BCV and LANTRA).

4.4 A particular focus will be placed on working with and through the Arts Centre, with training opportunities providing opportunity to further strengthen the inter-action between the indoor and outdoor environs of South Hill Park.

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Table 4 – Training Action Plan

Category Training Number trained

BFC Staff Leadership, financial training (Park Manager, Gardener, finance support)

3

Volunteer development (Park Manager, Gardener) 2 Education, interpretation (Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff)

4

Events and marketing (Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff)

4

Youth team 1 Maintenance of historic park (Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff)

4

Arboriculture (Tree team, Park Manager, Gardener) 4 CPD – heritage, park management etc 4

Partner organisations: BTC, SHPT

Park maintenance Education and interpretation (front desk staff)

3 10

Volunteers Park maintenance Surveys Heritage research Visitor welcome Education and interpretation Youth involvement

10 5 2 5 3 2

School students Schools programme pilot programme 60 College/School Students

Work experience, taster days 10

University/ College Students

Placements, taster days 2

Contractors/ Consultants

CPD, heritage conservation training, taster days 3

Community Events

Heritage, taster days, nature conservation, arts 50

Mentoring and Peer Support

Development work

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Appendix 10: Commemorative Trees and Benches

Commemorative Trees and Benches at South Hill Park

The grounds of South Hill Park are jointly managed on a day to day basis by

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC), Bracknell Town Council (BTC) and South Hill Park

Arts Centre. We recognise that memorial trees and benches are a popular way for

people to remember loved ones and reflect on happy memories. We are happy to

discuss requests for memorial trees and benches, however it is important to

remember that South Hill Park is used by a wide range of visitors, and we will ensure

the addition of any new commemorative trees or benches is managed to the mutual

benefit of all.

Memorial Trees 1. Site Manger responsibilities 1.1 Any news trees planted on site must be done in accordance with the 10 year

Management and Maintenance Plan. For this reason, and in order to

maintain appropriate control over the development of the grounds, the actual

species of tree and its final location will be at the discretion of the site

managers.

1.2 The site managers will organise procurement of the tree from a reliable

supplier, and ensure its quality on arrival.

1.3 The horticultural management of the tree will be undertaken by the site

managers.

1.4 Technical knowledge and assistance to plant the tree will be provided by site

managers.

1.5 The site managers cannot be held responsible for any tree which has been

damaged, vandalised or stolen after it has been planted.

2. Individual responsibilities 2.1 In order to maintain the atmosphere of the park, no plaques, flowers,

photographs, ornaments or other expressions of remembrance may be left at

or near the site of the tree.

2.2 In the rare event that a tree has been lost due to disease, vandalism or

similar, it will be the individual’s responsibility to decide whether or not to

replace it at their own expense. Replacement will be in line with section 1

above.

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2.3 Individuals are advised to keep the site managers informed of any change of

address during the period the memorial tree is on site, to ensure records are

kept up to date.

Application process 3.1 Please contact the South Hill Park Grounds Manager either by telephone on

01344 416235 or email on [email protected] to request an

application form and discuss your requirements.

3.2 If your request can be met, you will be invited to the park to discuss your

requirements further.

3.3 An invoice will then be sent to you. Please note no applications can be

processed until payment is received in full.

Memorial tree prices start at £250 (excl VAT)

3.3 Please note tree planting will only be undertaken during the winter months of

Nov-Feb, which is the optimum time.

3.4 Once the tree has been planted you will be notified in writing.

Memorial Benches 3. Site Manger Responsibilities 3.1 In order to ensure the park’s primary recreational purpose is not

compromised, the number of memorial benches available at South Hill Park at

any one time is limited to a maximum of 12 (this includes north and south

sides of the park). Please contact the Park Manager to check for availability.

3.2 Any new benches placed on site must be done in accordance with the 10 year

Management and Maintenance Plan. For this reason, and in order to

maintain appropriate standards over the development of the grounds, the size

and style of bench, and its final location, will be at the discretion of the site

managers.

3.3 The site managers will organise procurement of the bench and, if agreed, a

dedication plaque from a reliable supplier, and ensure its quality on arrival.

Every effort will be made to ensure the bench is responsibly sourced and

made from sustainable materials.

3.4 The site managers will install the bench on site and be responsible for it’s

upkeep and maintenance.

3.5 Benches will be retained on site for their lifespan, up to a maximum period of

10 years. After this time, the site managers will contact the individual with a

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mailto:[email protected]

reminder that the plaque will be removed and is available for collection. If the

individual does not respond, the plaque will be removed from the bench and

retained for one year.

3.6 The site managers cannot be held responsible for any bench which has been

damaged, vandalised or stolen after it has been installed.

3.7 If the need arises to move or remove a bench for any reason, the site

managers will notify the applicant of the new location.

4. Individual Responsibilities 4.1 The individual will be able to request wording on a plaque to be installed on

the bench. Please note the site managers reserve the right to refuse a plaque

or edit any unsuitable wording. Dedications can only be made to individuals,

the site managers will not approve memorials made to any pets.

4.2 In order to maintain the atmosphere of the park, no flowers, photographs,

ornaments or other expressions of remembrance may be left at or near the

site of the bench.

4.3 In the rare event that a bench has been lost due to vandalism or similar, it will

be the individual’s responsibility to decide whether or not to replace it at their

own expense. Replacement will be in line with section 3 above.

4.4 Individuals are advised to keep the site managers informed of any change of

address during the period the memorial bench is on site, to ensure records

are kept up to date.

Application process 5.1 Please contact the South Hill Park Grounds Manager either by telephone on

01344 416235 or email on [email protected] to request an

application form and discuss your requirements.

5.2 If your request has been successful, you will be invited to the park to discuss

your requirements further.

5.3 An invoice will then be sent to you. Please note no applications can be

processed until payment is received in full.

Memorial bench £650 (excl VAT)

Memorial bench, including plaque £800 (excl VAT)

5.4 Delivery and installation of benches can take up to 12 weeks following

application.

5.5 Once the bench has been installed you will be notified in writing.

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mailto:[email protected]

Appendix 12: Conservation management plan policies

General Policies: Policy 1 Adopt Conservation Plan: Plan to be adopted by all partners to ensure

that all those making decisions which might affect the site do so with reference to the

adopted policies, with the aim of conserving the site’s significance.

Policy 2 Staff development: Identify need for, and provide training in, specialist

skills or knowledge, including use of CMP and heritage impact assessment.

Policy 3 Management: Develop a co-ordinated structure of management and

maintenance for the whole site based on the CMP led by a park management co-

ordinator, reporting to a joint organisation or steering group, to allow partners to work

together.

Policy 4 Future management of the site should be based on an understanding of the site’s significance as an historic landscape and seek to conserve the historic

fabric (with special attention to ancient trees, replacement planting and management

of woodland, grassland and water bodies), while acknowledging modern needs.

Policy 5 Management Plan: Develop a long term plan and implement a 10 year

management and maintenance plan for the whole site, to be implemented and

reviewed by a joint organisation or steering group comprising all partners, to ensure a

longer term, controlled management process.

Policy 6 Assessment: Set up a system of assessment against the conservation plan

and review of the plan. Assess any new work against the conservation plan, using a

heritage impact assessment.

Policy 7 Recording: Keep accurate records of all works affecting built and

landscape features and make records available.

Policy 8 Funding: Secure funding to implement conservation and enhancement of

the park.

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Policy 9 Materials: Use historically accurate materials and techniques for restoration

and repair work, unless there is evidence of past failure of such techniques or

designs.

Policy 10 Natural landscape: Have regard to the wider impact of change on the

landscape as a whole, both from within and from outside the site.

Policy 11 Nature conservation: Adopt management techniques which will conserve

and enhance the range and diversity of habitats, respecting the design intentions of

the historic landscape features. Prioritise areas where there is known continuity of

habitat and therefore significance: for example, ancient trees, water bodies and

pasture. Contribute to targets within the Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan and

those of partner organisations.

Policy 12 Sustainability: Adopt environmentally friendly management practices in

accordance with best practice and other Borough wide strategies and plans, notably

the Community Plan and the Environmental Partnership or other appropriate

organisations.

Policy 13 Green Flag: Seek to attain Green Flag status or Green Heritage Site

status.

Policy 14 Archaeology: Develop a programme of investigation and recording and

interpretation. Any essential excavation should be monitored, recorded and reported

under an archaeological watching brief in accordance with PPG16. Field archaeology

should be recorded before any heavy equipment is brought in. Any investigation

should be undertaken to a properly considered and properly set out programme,

carried out under relevant expertise.

Policy 15 Promote and enhance the supporting planning policy framework: extend protection of elements of the designed landscape including the ice house,

kitchen garden walls and ancient trees. Consider providing Supplementary Planning

Guidance relating to the park and areas of the former park and /or designating areas

of high archaeological potential.

Policy 16 Interpretation: develop and implement an interpretation and education

strategy and develop resources and activities for families, school, youth and special

182

interest groups and the general public. Support study, particularly the humanities

curriculum. Include site on BBC Heritage Tree trail.

Policy 17 Views and the wider landscape: the future management of the site

should respect key views within the park and wider landscape, maintain, protect and

replace trees and woodland which derive from the former designed park and which

provide the sense of enclosure of the remaining part of the park.

Policy 18 Take steps to mitigate the impact of Ringmead and of car parking.

Policy 19 Gardens: Develop and adopt a strategy to repair and enhance the

pleasure grounds and gardens and to facilitate sensitive use.

Policy 20 New design: seek opportunities to involve artists and the community in

the design of new elements of hard and soft landscaping such as areas adjoining the

Arts Centre, to complement and interpret historic features.

Policy 21 Site style: develop a joint style for signage, posters and other information

to present a unified image throughout the park and Arts Centre, with the Arts Centre

as a point of reference.

Policy 22 Set up a Friends Group and support community and youth involvement in

the development and implementation of plans for the site.

Policy 23 Safety strategy: adopt management regimes, activities and designs to

enhance the safety of all park users.

Policy 24 Events: develop and implement a co-ordinated events programme to

appeal to all sections of the community, with an emphasis on the arts and heritage.

Policy 25 Management Base: provide a stronger management base within the park

providing a focus for visitor enquiries and park maintenance.

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Appendix 13: Joint Management Committee (Grounds Group) Terms of Reference

SOUTH HILL PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Terms of Reference (v4)

Introduction The South Hill Park Joint Management Committee” (hereafter called “the Grounds Group”) has been set up as an advisory body to the land managing organisations in respect of the entirety of the site, excluding the Mansion / Arts Centre buildings. All parties will work together to ensure an integrated and effective approach is taken to the management and maintenance of this historic parkland.

High quality management is required to restore and safeguard a nationally designated landscape and secure investment for restoration from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

The Grounds Group has been set up in accordance with a Joint Management Agreement dated 27 March 2009; as entered into by Bracknell Forest Borough Council (BFC), Bracknell Town Council (BTC), South Hill Park Trust Limited (SHPT).

The Grounds Group will also include representation from North Lake Estate Management (NLEM).

Membership The Grounds Group shall consist of nine members appointed by their respective organisation; four of whom will form a Quorum, provided there shall be present at least one representative from BFC, BTC and SHPT in attendance:

• two persons being elected members appointed by BFC • two persons being elected members appointed by the BTC • two persons being trustees of SHP appointed by SHPT • one person appointed by NLEM

The Grounds Group shall be co-ordinated by the Heritage Parks Manager. Meetings will be supported by other appropriate staff / officers from the parties who will be senior officers with the ability to speak on behalf of their organisation. Such officers will be non-voting members of the Group.

184

The Group will have the ability of co-opt non-voting members as and when considered appropriate.

Meetings The Grounds Group shall meet not less than three times in each year of which one meeting shall be the Annual Meeting. Where practicable, dates for 2 of the meetings will be set to coincide with the financial year and budget cycles (March and September), The 3rd meeting will be arranged to coincide with the end of the calendar year (December). Additional meetings will be arranged as considered necessary to meet work priorities. At the Annual Meeting the Grounds Group will appoint from amongst its members a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year and the Chairman will have the casting vote.

Purpose The function of the Grounds Group is to:

1. Provide an integrated approach to operating, maintaining and improving the grounds of South Hill Park to create a park that strongly supports the primary objectives of the parties in connection with the South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan

2. Co-ordinate implementation of the South Hill Park Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP), the Audience Development Plan (ADP), Volunteers Plan (VP) and Training Plan (TP) to ensure compliance with the conditions of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant

3. Recommend the revenue budget and other resources for the forthcoming financial year in line with the MMP.

4. Recommend work targets for the forthcoming year in line with the MMP, ADP, VP and TP.

5. Provide a mechanism to monitor delivery of the MMP, ADP, VP and TP. 6. Recommend any variances to the joint arrangements for implementing the

MMP in compliance with the grant from the HLF. 7. Support annual review of the MMP.

Where necessary, recommendations impacting on policy or resources of the representative parties will need to be ratified prior to adoption and / or implementation. Should there be issues of dispute between the parties, these will be referred back to the appropriate Council / Trustees / Friends meeting for Decision.

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