The Pocket Park lies to the north of the Recreation Ground beyond the reinstated Rother Valley Railway (RVR) embankment. Within its 2.25 acres the site contains a pond of ecological interest with flag iris and water-forget-me-not, dense areas of blackthorn scrub which are covered in blossom in spring and in autumn are laden with sloe berries, and a mosaic of grassland and riverbank habitats. There are also a number of mature , broad-leaved trees including ash, oak, maple and hazel.
The park is owned by the Council except for the old Mill owner’s garden area alongside the river which was leased from SCATS (the Mill) in 1995. In this part it is possible to find the remains of an old footbridge over the river and old fruit trees remain from the former garden.
The entrance to the park is via the public footpath (16a) from the Clappers/Northbridge Street, or the Recreation Ground, then under the reinstated RVR railway line. Once inside there are a number of informal paths kept open by periodic cutting of the vegetation which also helps to provide a range of habitats for birds, insects and mammals. Ducks and moorhens can be seen on the river, and occasionally kingfishers. Other species include field grasshoppers, dark bush cricket, dragonflies, speckled wood butterfly and common lizard.
The Pocket Park was renamed the Woodgate Pocket Park following the death in December 2018 of popular and well-know resident Jill Woodgate. For many years Jill, and her husband Roy, ran the village newsagents in Station Road (now the Village Store) and Jill was a major contributor to the quality of village life, as an active participant in many village groups. She was also a Member of the Parish Council for some years and actively helped in clearing footpaths and conducting guided walks etc.. During that time she was the instigator and driving force behind the establishment of the Pocket Park, from an unused and previously derelict piece of ground. Over many years, Jill and Roy (and often their children) spent many, many evening and weekend hours hard at work clearing and creating the park, to establish the lovely community amenity it is today. Jill was a parish Tree Warden for many years and maintained a keen interest in the park right up to her death. Naming the park after her and Roy was felt to be a very fitting way to commemorate such a valued member of the community.
You are welcome to visit the park at any time but please respect the plants and animals that live there. And if you would like to help out on the volunteer group, please contact the Clerk for details.
To keep the area lovely for everyone (including children playing off the paths) please clean up after your dog (The Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1B) (Rother District Council) Order 2024).
