Spotlight - Friends of Pittville

Friends of Pittville is a volunteer run charity that helps to maintain Cheltenham’s lovely Pittville Park for the benefit of the many people who use its facilities, or just enjoy its surroundings. We also help to uncover Pittville’s heritage whether that’s people from the past, buildings, or the landscape features in the Park.

We have a wonderful group of volunteers who work with the CBC Green Space team to look after the park, and have restored the rockeries round the upper lake, and restored the wonderful views across the lake. We also undertake fundraising for special projects such as the restoration of the magnificent gates at the entrance to Pittville Park, or the installation of the play area.

We joined the Cheltenham Lottery as it seemed a winning idea that local people could win prizes and local charities can benefit. Some of the recent prizes have been amazing. In addition to money there have been very generous vouchers to spend with a variety of much loved retail names like John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and Decathlon.

As part of a larger project to restore the heritage structures in Pittville Park we are looking to re-instate the set of steps between the 2 plinths at the top of the lawn in front of the Pump Room. They will look just like the pictures in late 19th century prints, but this requires specialist skills and materials, so any funding we can put towards this will help. We hope to be able to complete this later this year. This is also part of providing a legacy for future generations.

We have been able to publish the brilliant prizes and inform our 400 members - although some still do not know what an amazing opportunity this is. We have had some members who have donated the money they won for a particular project. An example would be when we were reviving the bed opposite No 38 hotel on Evesham Road, we were able to plant 3 new cherry trees with one of the donations. I would like everyone to understand what a great opportunity playing the Cheltenham Lottery is both for individuals and your local charities - so GET BUYING NOW and help us achieve great things in Cheltenham!