We Are Officially Open!

June 12, 2023 |

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On a brilliantly sunny day in late May we celebrated the completion of the project to regenerate South Cliff Gardens. The pandemic delayed work starting and caused further delays to completion but at last we were able to come together to mark this milestone for a project which was made possible by the vision and support of the local community, a phenomenal £4.6m investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Fund and additional support from Scarborough Borough Council.

The main event took place in the beautifully restored Italian Gardens and proceedings were opened in rousing fashion by Town Crier, David Birdsall followed by speeches from David Auton of the South Cliff Community Group, John Williams committee member from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Adrian Perry of the Friends of South Cliff Gardens and finally Charter Mayor, Cllr John Richie who was then joined by members of the South Cliff Community Group for the presentation of a cheque for £105, 000, the result of their incredible fundraising efforts.

Dave Wood our guest poet for the event read out an original poem dedicated to the gardens before the Town Crier declared the gardens officially open.

The event was all about celebrating community and Scarborough’s own Wellbeing Choir took to the stage for a joyous performance which resonated throughout the gardens followed by a wonderfully bluesy acoustic set from local musician Phil Hooley. The Staxton Singers closed out proceedings with a beautifully harmonized showcase which even included a guest trumpeter.

©Tony Bartholomew mail@bartpics.co.uk

©Tony Bartholomew mail@bartpics.co.uk

©Tony Bartholomew mail@bartpics.co.uk

Festivities weren’t limited to the Italian Gardens, visitors were invited to explore the renovations and a special portrait trail helped shine the spotlight on some of the many incredible people who have contributed to the success of the project.

Elsewhere children’s activities were in full swing with “Alice in Wonderland” themed hat making in our new community space at Beeforth’s Hive overseen by chief hatter for the day the brilliant Kate Boddy, whilst the superb Wildcats brought nature inspired crafts to the sunny Shuttleworth Gardens. Dave Wood now transformed into Dr Rhyme was also on hand, writing on the spot poems on a wide range of subjects free to take away on the day.

©Tony Bartholomew mail@bartpics.co.uk

Project Officer Vic Thompson and Principle Landscape Architect Scott Matthews headed a guided tour of the renovations, perfect for those seeking a better understanding of some of the work that goes into restoring a long neglected public space back into a fantastic community resource.

Revelries continued into Sunday when we welcomed the Mad Hatter, Alice and the Queen of Hearts to the Italian Gardens. Dozens of families took part in out Wonderland themed event which saw the large shelter magically transformed. Besides the chance to meet characters from the pages of “Alice in Wonderland” another highlight was a display of incredible life sized creations inspired by the story which only a few weeks earlier had taken first prize and best in show at the Ayton Scarecrow Festival, generously donated to us by the Bailey family.

Local poet Charlotte Oliver hosted a fantastically creative drop in workshop inspired by nursery rhymes whilst Dr Rhyme once again donned his white coat and with typewriter in hand set about fashioning more personalised poems for visitors. More Mad Hatter hats were decorated at our craft station along with masks, crowns, bookmarks and more.