First birthday celebration at The Level - Saturday June 14

A community celebration is being held at The Level in Brighton on Saturday June 14 to mark the first birthday of the new-look park.

A day of free activities and entertainment is being held between 10am and 6pm for all ages.

The line-up of events includes children's activities, arts and crafts, sports and games, community stalls, a WI tent, and music throughout the day (See timetable under notes to editors)

There will also be a Gardeners' Q and A session - panellists will include BBC Sussex gardening expert Jean Griffin and local allotment holders Peter Taylor and Gary Murdock who were semi-finalists in BBC TV’s recent ‘Big Allotment Challenge'.

The People's History of The Level exhibition will also be on show and there will be a guided history walk and quiz around the park at 1pm, as part of the council's programme of Healthwalks, with prizes donated by local businesses.

The major restoration of The Level was carried out by Brighton & Hove City Council and completed last summer. The community celebration is being organised by the council and the newly formed Level Communities Forum, a group of local people committed to working with the council and others for the park's long-term benefit.

A team of volunteer “LevelMakers” will be on hand to meet and greet visitors, plus the city’s council tenant and resident associations will be hosting a Resident Involvement Information marquee on the day - showcasing examples of successful estate regeneration projects they are working on and organising children's activities. Council residents from across the city will be able to find out more about how they can get involved and have a say in the improvement of their estates.

Councillor Pete West, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee, said: "The restoration of The Level has been a big success and the new-look park is extremely popular. We hope people will come along and take part in the activities at what promises to be a real community celebration of the park."

Michael Bairstow, vice chairman of the Level Communities Forum, said:  “There will be all sorts of activities and entertainment, for all ages, for people to come along and enjoy at The Level on June 14. The transformation of The Level has been amazing, there is real enthusiasm for the park and as a forum we are planning more events for the future. We would also love more volunteers to join the forum, people can come and meet us on the day and find out more about opportunities for getting involved in the park.”

Notes to editors:

For more information about The Level: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/thelevel

For more information about The Level Communities Forum and how to join:   www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/lcf

   Email thelevelcommunitiesforum@gmail.com

Restoration of The Level

The Level was transformed by the city council with a package of improvements, including 'dancing' fountains, a new children's playground, a  sensory garden, tables for board games, a pétanque terrain, a new skate park, and a new environmentally friendly cafe, complete with a chalk grassland green roof. Historic features of The Level from the early 1920’s were being restored, including the park pavilions.  Extensive new planting and landscaping was also being carried out and additional seating provided. The playground includes many pieces of equipment suitable for children with disabilities and new public toilets including a Changing Places toilet with enough space for disabled people and their carers. 

The restoration project was carried out by the council with a £2.2m Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund grant.  An Aiming High Grant of £65,000 was also awarded to help make the park more accessible for all to enjoy.  The skate park also received £150,000 grant funding from Sports England Inspired Facilities and £50,000 from Veolia Environmental Trust.

Time table for the entertainment marquee [Subject to change]

10 Schools choir ensemble

11Salvation Army Band

11.40 Bangla Brighton

12 Capoeira Angola

12.45 Maracatu Cruzeiro Do Sul (Samba Troupe) - or Barulio

1.30  The Gyratory Allstars

14.30 Brighton Schools Youth Concert band

15.15 Brighton Schools Youth Jazz band

16.00 Brighton Schools Youth Big Band

17.00 Cozina

18.00 finish