1. sussex gardens trust ‘encouraging the protection conservation and evolution of our local garden heritage in Sussex’

2. People, places - and parks and gardens The history of a family will often touch on the history of a house – and of a garden… The history of a place can often be traced through its public parks and open spaces

3. Recognising and conserving historic parks and gardens Are you curious to learn more about the history of these parks and gardens? Are you keen to ensure that these historic places are recognised and conserved in your area?

4. Who is the Sussex Gardens Trust? The Sussex Gardens Trust (www.sussexgardenstrust.org.uk) is one of 35 similar county-based charities promoting the conservation and appreciation of historic gardens parks and open spaces in Sussexwww.sussexgardenstrust.org.uk

5. What are we doing? The Sussex Gardens Trust is embarking on a project to identify, research and record parks and gardens that are of local importance in the Rother and Hastings area The sites will be included on a local authority’s Local List

6. What is a Local List? A Local List recognises and records sites of historic and cultural interest to the community including buildings, monuments, special places, parks and gardens. Local authorities are encouraged through a new government initiative to develop Local Lists through partnerships with organisations like the Sussex Gardens Trust.

7. What kind of parks and gardens are we looking for? Public and privately owned sites of local importance that are not designated as of national importance on the National Heritage List www.nationalheritagelist.org www.nationalheritagelist.org

8. Parks and gardens in Hastings Hastings has a wealth of designed open spaces that contribute to its rich history They still provide today’s oases for recreation and pleasure They are more likely to be conserved if their history is known, valued and recorded

9. Parks and Gardens in Rother Rother has many privately-owned locally- important historic gardens, many open to the public or in commercial use They may be important for their association with significant local people or events, or with major designers or gardeners

10. How can you help? The trust is looking for volunteers to help identify, research and record designed open spaces, parks and gardens to include in the Local List for both Hastings Borough and Rother District

11. If you would like to: hone your research and writing skills learn how to interpret old maps learn to survey a park or garden meet like-minded people and see some fascinating gardens?

12. Come and join us - we provide: Free training courses in researching, surveying and writing reports On-site advice and tuition in interesting gardens Refreshments on courses and visits No previous experience needed to join our existing small team of volunteers

13. How to contact us: Trust chairman Jennie Starr will be happy to give you more information on how you can contribute to the project And/or you can enrol on our next training course on 1 st November Tel 01323 461310 or email starrhouse@clara.co.uk