In the winter of 2006 a group of individuals who became the Friends of Wilton Lodge Park called their first meeting.
During the following fortnightly meetings we researched and discussed various ideas and strategies to further our ambitions
for Wilton Lodge Park to become more involved in the future and regeneration of Hawick and the central borders.
By early 2007 the group had decide to approach Scottish Borders Council, who run and maintain the park, with our concepts.
Shortly after this initial contact our first meeting with Jason Hedley, parks and open spaces manager for S.B.C., was scheduled.
During this first encounter we were pleased to be informed of the potential for a Heritage Lottery Fund/Parks For People funding bid
combining Sheddon Park, Kelso and Wilton Lodge Park. It later transpired that the H.L.F. would not consider a combined application but,
happily for us, Wilton Lodge Park met the criteria for a solo bid.
During the following months a strong working relationship was forged between F.W.L.P. and Mr. Hedley and a basic strategy for the pursuance
of our joint goals emerged.
The back-bone of this strategy was consultation. To further this an extensive user survey of Wilton Lodge Park was required to quantify usage,
strengths and weaknesses of the park. A questionnaire co-authored by S.B.C. and F.W.L.P. was launched at an open day in the park and at Hawick
Summer Festival’s “Party On The Pitch.” Distributed widely in and around Hawick the survey was completed and returned by over 900 individuals
in a 4 month period. During the commissioning and distribution of this survey F.W.L.P. were approached by representatives of Hawick In Bloom .
A request was made for F.W.L.P. to become involved in a refurbishment of the public gardens at the rear of Round Close just off Hawick
High Street.
The task was undertaken with F.W.L.P. taking the lead role. Funding was obtained through Hawick Community council from the Awards For All
scheme. This project became a co-operation between a number of groups and agencies including, Borders College, Hawick In Bloom, Hawick
Community Council, S.B. Local and S.B.C.
This project is still on-going with a new partner recently brought on board in the shape of a group of students from Hawick High School
who, with the assistance of a horticultural teacher, have taken on much of the week to week maintenance.
In the closing months of 2007 F.W.L.P. were approached by Hawick Reivers Festival committee with a view to expanding the already highly
successful Reivers Festival which is held in late March each year.
Their idea to establish a “Reivers” encampment in Wilton Lodge Park on the final day (Sunday) of the festival was a bold one. We were
eager to become involved and now after hosting 2 very successful events in the park, and a third in the planning stages, the event has
become a fitting grand finale to the festival.
A locally organised and hugely enjoyable busking competition, “Teribuskers,” takes place annually on a Saturday afternoon in mid
September on Hawick High Street. Buskers of all types and ages are invited to entertain the people of Hawick and compete for honours
in this popular competition.
The “Friends” were asked by the Teribuskers organisers to host an event on the following day in Wilton Lodge Park to further showcase
the performers talents. This has been a great success and plans are underway for the third event in 2010.
A recent new addition to the events timetable is a sports and pastimes “come and try” day. Held the Sunday following Teribuskers weekend.
This proved popular with young and old alike with a varied spectrum of participants ranging from fly-casting to kick-boxing. Such was the
success of this event it was decided to plan a similar day next year.
Meanwhile the results of the Wilton Lodge Park user’s survey had been processed and collated into a comprehensive report. This report had
gone through due process at Scottish Borders Council and was brought before January 2009’s Teviot and Liddesdale local area committee with
a proposal for the formation of a management committee to pursue potential Heritage Lottery Funding for a Wilton Lodge Park development
project. This proposal was passed by the area committee and a management team formed comprising, Friends of Wilton Lodge Park, all six
Hawick councillors and Jason Hedley of S.B.C.
There have been regular meetings of this management committee from which there has been significant advancement of the project.
Jason Hedley is currently writing a report for submission to S.B.C. outlining a proposed stage one Heritage Lottery/Parks For People
funding bid. This report will define the parameters and funding levels required for a successful bid. Hopefully this report will be
agreed upon by mid 2010 and a stage one bid can be initiated.
Other F.W.L.P. projects which have been running alongside these higher profile events include;
Design and development of a high quality web-site show-casing Wilton Lodge Park, including an extensive picture gallery and an events
diary for the park and museum/art gallery. www.fwlp.co.uk.
Design, production and distribution of a new Wilton Lodge Park information leaflet.
Organising and running an Easter egg hunt in Wilton Lodge Park with plans to continue the event in future years.
Involvement with Hawick In Bloom’s preparation for 2009’s Floral Gateway competition.
We are currently working together with S.B.C. and Hawick High School students XL club in the early stages of a renovation project on Wilton
Lodge Park’s sensory garden. There are also proposals to provide a sign-posted walking route through the park and to develop a tree
trail/orienteering route again in conjunction with Hawick High School students.
Contact has recently been made with S.B.C.’s Criminal Justice Team who run a community service programme for the borders.
Work has been initiated on upgrading the first of several woodland paths within Wilton Lodge Park.
The Friends of Wilton Lodge Park would like to thank all those who have
given help, with events, other activities, or by giving of their time
or work in other ways.
The Friends would like to specifically thank the following for their contributions
to this Web Site-