Southport u3a has unveiled a plaque at the historic Hesketh Park in Southport to celebrate the success of its ‘Just One Thing’ gardening team, which has been bringing colour to the borders near the Queens Road entrance.
Southport Hesketh Park Heritage Group-Chair Adrian Fletcher along with Rick Cubells from Green Sefton were delighted to join the team as they carried out their unveiling and celebrated with glasses of Cava.
The event took place just a few days after Southport was announced as the 2025 Britain In Bloom winner.
It’s another superb example of the amazing volunteers we have improving and maintaining parks and green spaces across Southport.
The volunteers have been helping to restore this remarkable heritage site back to its former glory.
It was designed as a public park in the mid-19th century by Edward Kemp, and was further developed in the 20th century.
The land was donated by the Rev Charles Hesketh and has many Victorian features and landscape designs.
The land Hesketh Park occupies was once sand dunes and beach, but as the tides receded and the town of Southport grew, the need for a park was proposed.
The land at the time was owned by Rev Charles Hesketh of Meols Hall, who donated the space for use as a public park.
Edward Kemp, one of the leaders in the design of parks and gardens during the mid-Victorian era in England, laid out the park which is of a near oval shape, possibly to the design of Joseph Paxton.
The park was officially opened in 1868, with the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown officially opened seven years later, in 1875.
Thanks to the generosity of a recent bequest by Louis and Anita Marks, along with the tireless work of volunteers such as Southport u3a, Hesketh Park is beginning to bloom once again.
Southport u3a Chair Christine Howorth said:
“This unveiling was planned well before the fabulous news that Southport had won Britain in Bloom, so it was perfectly timed!
“The Southport ‘Just One Thing Group’ is named after the late, great Michael Mosely.
“It does one-off jobs around the community to help out our town.
“This year we have helped out at events including Southport Flower Show, the 24 Hour Yacht Race, Southport Sprint Revival, and various charity events.
“Members go out of their way to do not just one thing for themselves but Just One Thing for others.
“When the call came in Spring to dig up an unsightly border at Hesketh Park in Southport, our team got to work.
“Instead of doing just one job, the guys, managed by Mary Mulholland, have been tending the entrance garden for the last six months.
“They have planted it up completely with an array of plants and shrubs donated from our gardening group.
“The garden has been in full bloom all summer long.
“Further donations have enabled them to plant around 30,000 spring bulbs, most now safely tucked in to ensure a beautiful entrance to what is now becoming another spectacular Victorian Park restored.
“The plaque is an oval metal plaque stating that Southport u3a, in line with Sefton have planted and tended the entrance garden at Hesketh Park. They have done a fabulous job and deserved a thank you.”
The restoration of Hesketh Park was given a huge boost last year thanks to a generous £850,000 bequest by local couple Louis and Anita Marks.
A number of improvements have taken place since then, including at the sensory garden, while Bridge Inn Community Farm has opened a new kitchen garden.
The popular Southport Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning, and there are more positive changes to come.
Southport Hesketh Park Heritage Group-Chair Adrian Fletcher:
“I am absolutely delighted to see all the work which is going on in Hesketh Park.
“We have had a magnificent legacy from Louis and Anita Marks. They have left a lot of money to Hesketh Park which has been ring-fenced by Sefton Council for general heritage improvements.
“One of the key factors we hoped would happen with that legacy was that new volunteer groups would be set up.
“It has acted as a catalyst and we are absolutely delighted with the work Southport u3a have done to transform what has been a rather weedy grassy bank into this magnificent border.
“I am absolutely delighted to unveil a plaque marking their residence here in Hesketh Park which I am hoping will continue for many years to come.
“A big thank you to all our volunteers. Without our volunteers, Hesketh Park would fall back, and we want to see you continue to do the work you have been doing for a long time to come. Thank you so much.”
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