Latest News

Community Task Force Coming to Havant

Groundwork Solent is pleased to announce the start of a new Community Task Force Team dedicated to Havant and Waterlooville.

Following work to create a split level pond at Waterlooville recreation ground at the start of the year, Groundwork Solent will now have a team dedicated to projects which benefit the community.

The team will start an additional maintenance service, clearing vegetation and restoring overgrown areas in Leigh Park on Monday 19th July. Tim Cooper, Program Manager SE Hants said, “We are delighted to be able to have a team working in Havant, many of the team are from Havant and are looking forward to the opportunity to improve their own local environment”.

The Community Task Force Workers are aged between 18-24 years and have been long term unemployed. Working for Groundwork Solent they are being trained in public and large space maintenance. In the six months they will be able to make a real difference and change the face of many well known areas.

Joy Okwuadigbo, Head of Regeneration Services at Havant Borough Council said: "The council are totally in support of this project. It provides the opportunity for local unemployed people to gain skills and experience on the six months programme whilst working on a project which is most valuable to the community."

Solent Cycle Maps Completed

Groundwork Solent has been working with Gosport, Fareham and Havant Borough Councils and Portsmouth City Council, in partnership with SEEDA and Hampshire County Council to create a series of maps covering the Solent area. These four maps use the same key to show the current and propsed cycle routes available. The maps are available from the respective tourist information centres. Alternatively you can use the links below to download low resolution copies of the maps.

Portsmouth Green Fair

Help celebrate Portsmouth’s first Green Week when local groups will be organising a range of different activities to show how we can all cut our carbon footprints, protect our environment and have fun.

You can find a list of events on www.portsmouthgreenfair.co.uk where you’ll see the films, talks, art exhibitions, open events, walks, cycle rides that are taking place. Highlights include:

Portsmouth Green Fair on Sat 17th July from 11- 4 in Victoria Park and Guildhall Square PO1 2AB. Free entry, music, around 100 stalls, talks, food, films, rides, pedal-powered hovercraft and stage.
Lots of children’s activities and fun for all the family
Films at No 6 cinema
Children’s art exhibition at the Lodge Arts Centre in Victoria Park
Green Portsmouth display in Portsmouth Central library
A visit to see how Portsmouth University is cutting its energy use

Holly Park Consultation, Wilingdon

Between 21st and 28th June Groundwork Solent consulted the local residents of Holly Park, Wilingdon near Eastbourne to find out where the new youth area should be located on behalf of Places for People.

The majority of people selected option B for the location of the youth area, shown below.

376 people replied to the survey and 38% requested area A, 53% area B, and 9% did not choose A or B.

The plans with the new youth area location will now be submitted to the planning authorities.

Allotment for Western Park Junior School

On the 23rd September Groundwork Solent Staff constructed an allotment and raised planting beds for Western Park Junior School in Southampton. The whole team worked really hard and hope to be rewarded with some fruit and vegetables from the pupils next year!