Visitors can learn about Weymouth and Portland’s glorious green spaces at a new exhibition. 

The display in the Haven owner’s beach lounge on Weymouth seafront celebrates the array of gardens in Weymouth and Portland and the history behind them, in hopes of raising the profile of the celebrated green areas.

Boards present a host of information about each garden with pictures and information leaflets and maps of the gardens’ locations have been created for the public to pick up and take with them. 

Weymouth Civic Society opened the pop-up exhibition with Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kevin Brookes. It was launched yesterday ahead of Civic Day on Saturday, June 17, promoting civic pride. 

The day, championed by the group Civic Voice, is an annual celebration which gives communities the chance to celebrate their local area. Last year there were more than 150 Civic Day events across the country.

Pru Bollam, vice-chairman of Weymouth Civic Society, said: “Civic Voice is an organisation for all civic societies in England. 

“We have decided to hold this exhibition to show the gardens that are so well maintained by the borough and with the help of Friends groups. This exhibition will be manned by a different group every day.

“We hope to see people looking at the different gardens, collecting maps, and hopefully they will look round the gardens on Civic Day. Friends will be there to welcome them at the grounds.”

All of the established Friends’ groups in the area are supporting the idea.

Yesterday, the exhibition was manned by Friends of Greenhill Gardens (FOGG) who celebrated their 10th anniversary this year. 

As part of the exhibition launch, the group dressed up in eye-catching Victorian attire. 

Barbara Dubben, chairman of FOGG, said: “Today we are dressed up as Victorian bathers as Greenhill Gardens are over 100 years old, it was given to the town in 1902.

“As a group, we’re always out to dress up and have fun. Hopefully it will entice people in.”

Cllr Brookes is behind the initiative. He said: “It is important that everybody realises what’s under their noses. We need to look a little bit further sometimes and see these absolutely fabulous gardens.

“It’s vital that we keep visiting them, keep using them and recognise all the hard work that goes into maintaining them.”

Locals and visitors can visit the display at any time during the lounge’s open hours. The exhibition will be open every day leading up to the weekend. Different events have been organised including an art workshop at Sandsfoot Gardens and teddy bears picnic at Radipole Park and Gardens.