Open space takeover: Queens Park West Drive garden

We’ve taken over the garden by the roundabout on Queens Park West Drive!

Led by one of Trustees, Karen, and assistance of a number of our volunteers we’ve been clearing, sprucing and planting to make an urban garden we can all be proud of. With the closure of the Kings Park plant nursery, our ward councilors, Alasdair and Sharon, obtained agreement for some to be diverted to the garden. We’re setting a precedent with BCP council, working directly with our ward councilors and our council to enable better community engagement and partnerships for the benefit of all.

We’ve taken over responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of this prominent location, and have already made a huge difference. The constant reassuring chants of “you’re doing a great job” and “it looks great” are buoying Karen and her team on. If you see anyone working on the plot with a high visibility jacket, that’s Karen and her team and please take the time to say hi.

I am sure that we are all concerned about the funding gap for most local councils, and we can all play a part. Our charity is focused on enabling and empowering our community to help themselves: expecting the council to do everything for us is just not economically possible.

We are now looking at mural designs, and seeking permission from SSE and the local neighbours, to paint a mural on the side of the sub-station in the garden plot.

This is the first of a number of community actioned projects planned, please sign up for our newsletter to keep updated and if you have time and are able consider signing up as a volunteer. Even an hour a week will be a great help!