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General update
An exceptionally dry summer and autumn has affected the flow and level of water in the ornamental pond in Russell Gardens. Any fish in the pond have been carefully removed.
We have taken this opportunity to clean the base of the pond and to do some specialist investigations to assess the condition of the concrete base. This work has identified some areas that need to be repaired and we are currently carrying out repair works to the base. This follows a decision by DDC's Cabinet.
We have been keeping an eye on the water levels both in Bushy Ruff and Russell Gardens and with all the rain we have recently, they will hopefully begin to fill up again.
Café
The café was especially busy over the October half term, and many people took the chance to enjoy a wonderful pumpkin spiced coffee.
Keep an eye out for more seasonal treats as Christmas approaches, including mint hot chocolate, orange hot chocolate, white hot chocolate. An addition this year will be an Irish cream hot chocolate, or why not try it as a latte. From December, the Christmas club sandwich will return, or keep an eye out for the new Kearsney Christmas pasty.
Calendar
You can buy your copy of the Kearsney Parks 2023 calendar online. It costs £8 per calendar to buy, plus postage and packaging. For more information, or to order your calendar, please see the Kearsney Parks pages, or copies are on sale in the Kearsney Abbey Café.
The income from the calendar will be reinvested in the upkeep of Kearsney Parks. Thank you for your support.
If you would like to have one of your photos of Kearsney Parks considered for inclusion in next year's calendar, please email it to kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk.
Wildlife and Flora
It is that time of year again when the brown trout have entered their breeding season. Please do not enter the water between 31 October and 1 April to allow their breeding to be successful.
The kingfishers have been spotted in the Kearsney Parks, please be aware of the wildlife when you visit and ensure that dogs are on a lead in the designated areas.
Volunteering at Kearsney Parks
We are continuing to carry out general maintenance within the parks including on the grand border in Russell Gardens and the orchard, edging pathways and tree bases. In November, we have been planting spring bulbs in the grand border, including narcissus, muscari, anemones and tulips. If you are interested in volunteering, and would like to be put on our database, please get in touch at kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk.
Thank you to all the volunteers that continue to help keep the parks looking so well kept. We have regular volunteers that litter pick, and volunteer tasks take place weekly.
Photography
There are always great opportunities for taking photos in the park, be it with a camera or your phone.
We are always happy to receive photos taken in the park, so please do send in any photos and we will try and use them in publications and in the Kearsney Parks calendar 2022/23. Please send any photos (landscape orientation please) to kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk
The stunning picture of the kingfisher above was taken by Steve Elks
Keep in touch
If you have any comments or questions, please email us on kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk or follow us on Twitter @Kearsneyparks