Norfolk Square Community Festival - 15th August, 12 noon - 6pm

Entrance FEE: FREE

A wonderful day of celebration and fun for all ages in aid of the conservation fund for Norfolk Square Gardens. Come and enjoy Live Music, Entertainers, Great Food and meet other members of your community on the 15th August from 12 Noon till 6pm.

This is a community event staged by the East Brunswick Residents' Association and promises to be a festival like no other!

The beautiful Regency Gardens of Norfolk Square located on Western Road, Brighton (BN1 2PE) will be transformed into a world of family fun and frolics.

Reggie Vincent, EBRA representative for Norfolk Square said “The benefit to the community after all the hard work to clean it up and make it a non-drinking zone will be fantastic, this event will celebrate the results and raise funds to keep it like this for future generations”

Co-Chair of EBRA, Bill Cowell said “We hope to make this event an annual celebration of Norfolk Square. Funds raised would go towards the cost of Shrub, Spring bulb planting and construction work to paths and flower bed edges which is needed to keep the square looking good.”

Join the celebrations and support the efforts to keep Norfolk Square beautiful for everyone.

HISTORY OF CHANGE

In 2001 a small group of residents formed a group called the Friends of Norfolk Square in order to tackle the
problems of alcohol, drugs and related crime around the gardens and the terrible state it was in.

The founding members have long since moved on or joined the East Brunswick Residents' Association but the key people back then were Reggie Vincent, Amanda Kerney, Peter Brown, Mark Harris and Wayne Schofield.

Following supportive meetings with the then Councillor Penfold, the Friends managed to force the council’s hand to re-model the gardens, re-lay the lawn, lay the path and replant the flower beds. Local action with a little support and not much money has resulted in what you see today.

The Friends also worked alongside Sgt Richard Siggs of Brighton & Hove Police whose tireless work resulted in the reclaiming of the square and a significant reduction in crime in the area. As a result of this initiative, Sgt Siggs received a major worldwide policing award and went on to lecture in the US on the model for reclaiming communities and areas lost to drugs, alcohol and street crime.

Norfolk Square also succeeded in having the very first (it is believed) ASBO issued. If it wasn’t the first, it was pretty near the top of the list.

In 2004, the Home Secretary awarded Norfolk Square with the Taking A Stand Award for tackling anti-social
behaviour and the square also received a special visit by the Prime Minister Tony Blair who praised the work as a unique achievement that should be rolled out as a national model.

EBRA

The Association was founded in 2005 to act as a forum for the views of those who live and work in East Brunswick.

EBRA is staffed on a voluntary basis by people who live in the area. We are committed to preserving and improving the unique atmosphere of our area.

Membership is open to all who live, work or run a business in East Brunswick OR just have an interest in our area. We campaign vigorously for the preservation of our heritage and improvement of the environment and amenities of the area. We present the views of our members to Brighton & Hove City Council direct to the department concerned or through our local councillors.

EBRA is committed to good community relations and equal opportunities and is non political and non religious.

Event Organisers/Management: George Alexander Group is a social enterprise providing management consultancy expertise and combined solutions to businesses, events, community and charitable organisations. The Group also design & deliver progressive initiatives in Health, Arts, Sport, Environment and Education.

Contact Details: charity@georgealexandergroup.com or call 08450527733