SIGNS that Underhill people are keen to form a Friends of Victoria Gardens were evident at a public meeting led by W&PBC parks supervisor Carl Dallison.

The meeting, in St John's Church Hall, was attended by Parks Developmen Officer Tara Gooding, head gardener Patti Bolt and around 20 residents who put forward their ideas on improving and developing this green gateway to the island.

Guest speaker David Carter, who chaired the Friends of Rodwell Trail until recently, shared his experiences of forming a Friends group and spoke of how the group have made improvements to the Trail by successfully securing £25,000 lottery funding.

Mr Dallison said: "The Parks Section has already set up a number of groups in other areas of the borough and this way of working is proving so successful that it would be great if a group could be formed for Victoria Gardens.

"Without support from the community, a group will struggle to establish sowe hope there are other residents who feel as passionate about making a difference to these gardens."

He added that besides physical developments to the gardens, it would be nice to see more people making better use of Victoria Gardens by holding events, exhibitions, displays and any other suitable community projects as a similar community approach has been adopted in other areas of the borough and has started to show real results which are making a difference to the environment of the local areas.

Anyone who was unable to attend the Portland meeting but would like to become involved in a Friends of Victoria Gardens Group or help in practical projects should contact Tara Gooding on 01305 838297.