The last post!

Beautiful and abundant

This is the final post for Goldsmiths Community Garden, which was reclaimed just over two years' ago in a neglected corner of the community centre grounds. I no longer maintain the garden but appreciate the initial work, donations of time, resources and plants by volunteers and local community organisations and groups, and the regular maintenance of the garden every Sunday by the Community Payback Team. The garden has been transformed but more importantly kept under control and ownership, and this has spread to the rest of the grounds which now look wonderful, open and inviting.

These photographs were taken on 13 May 2014 and the one of the bulb display in April.    

Thanks go to all the supporters of the community garden with special mention to Elwood Amey for his horticultural advice, experience and persistence; to Anne Marie at Lewisham Gardens for her enthusiasm, friendship and contacts; to Ruth Webber, Downham Nutrition Partnership, for her encouragement and friendship in making the garden accessible; to Delicious most Nutritious, for their enthusiasm and participation in making use of the  garden plants; to Goldsmiths centre users and groups for their voluntary work and donations; to Ruth and Suriya for their inspiration and enthusiasm for creating the herb spiral and introducing me to permaculture; to Katy Delaney at Lewisham Council Green Scene Community Garden Grants and compost/love food hate waste workshops; and to Capital Growth, the RHS/Groundwork Re-Use scheme and Grow Wild, and the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association for grants and donations.

In and around the local area

View towards Crystal Palace from Durham Hill

There is nothing like a crisp late autumn afternoon to go exploring the local area. The light is precious at this time of year and you have to make the most of it.

In all the years I worked in Downham and used the old (and lovely) swimming baths and library off Moorside Road, although I must have seen it I didn't really take that much notice of their location and the magnificent views across south London. Durham Hill, which is sometimes referred to as Downham Playing Fields, is accessible from various points along Downham Way, Moorside Road at the junction with Durham Hill (the road), and behind the Leisure Centre.

Downham Swimming Baths (photo courtesy of Ideal Homes)

'When I came back in 2002 the baths had closed and were in a sorry state' (text and photo courtesy of Friends Reunited)

The baths and library were eventually demolished to make way for the PFI financed Downham 'Lifestyles' Health and Leisure Centre, which combines health services and leisure activities in one odd looking building - from the front at least.

Downham Health & Leisure Centre, looking towards Downham Way/Launcelot Road

Towards Downham Way, in the autumn sunshine.

Towards Southover and Bromley Hill

Closer to home  near Goldsmiths Community Garden and the centre the prefab estate is being prepared for demolition and redevelopment. I'm struck by how quickly the lovingly tended gardens have been reclaimed by michaelmas daisies, brambles and bindweed; grass unmowed, shrubs not pruned back.

Contrast the two photos below, taken in March 2011, with now.

 Eighteen months' later. The end of an era.

 

Fruits of our labours

Chill in the air

It's been a fruitful year in the community garden, little by little; many herbs have been picked and grown stronger for it, the bricks of the herb spiral are hardly visible, one apple appeared on the fruit trees planted in early spring and the trees are beginning to establish.

A few blackcurrants, peas and lettuces here, some tomatoes there. Lettuces, leeks and broccoli grown in terracotta pipes it's been a year of surprises all round. The brambles are nearly vanquished. When I arrived at the centre on Tuesday green Marmande tomatoes were lined up on the patio table - mysterious. I'll have to make a lot of space on my south facing windowsills for them to ripen, now the temperature has dropped. The ones left on the plants (not many!) may ripen if the sun comes out.

Trevor, super volunteer at the IT Suite, and his wife Rita donated a compost tumbler and a big bag of compost to the garden. All the fruit trees have benefitted from this largesse, and the compost to come. The compost bins built from pallets last year have got bigger and bigger and have now become a repository for branches and twigs. A job for the autumn.

Meishu and Una from Kendale Allotments community gardens brought produce to the Downham Nutrition Partnership AGM on 11 September, which shows what can be done in smallish spaces.

Kendale display at the Downham Nutrition Partnership AGM, with tomato varieties from Dr Tattersfield's garden, white borage, herbs, calendua from Goldsmiths Community Garden and green Marmande tomatoes from Kendale allotments

A solitary Braeburn apple from the fruit trees planted in February this year

Swiftly consumed by Kerry!

Una's produce from Kendale

Rosemary, sage and mint in the herb spiral, planted September 2012

The herb spiral and brick bed, lavender still in flower 3rd September 2013

The pipes of broccoli

Yesterday was the first time I'd had a good look around the grounds, to see what progress has been made other than in the community garden. Outside the hall, the beds have been dug over and I discovered what had happened to the tray of broccoli seedlings I picked up from St Mungo's a few weeks ago. They seem to be thriving!

In the community garden itself, the blackcurrant bush planted last spring has produced a few berries. Watch out, Ribena... Herbs, traditional apothecary plants, fruit and vegetables all happily co-exist in this sunny open space.

These lovely dianthus are now in full bloom. They were from Lidl or Aldi, 99p specials. I don't know the name of the white, pink tipped rose although I've had a good look on the internet.

Every Thursday morning the community garden is transformed with a shade sail and tent, books and toys and guinea pigs, for the pre-walkers outdoor play session run by Limelight. The session provides sensory experiences for the little ones, and it's great to see the garden put to such good use!

Summer Holiday Workshops

We have an amazing variety of workshops this summer!

Thanks to the generous support of Lewisham Council we will be running workshops for children, families and adults over the holidays from 25 July to 17 August.

Where?

Room 3, the community garden and reception at Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD [map].

Permaculture Kids Club comes to Goldsmiths! 
PLEASE NOTE THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL
15th SEPTEMBER 11am-3pm

As part of the project we are offering a one day Permaculture ‘taster’ workshop for a maximum of 15 parents and children, by Ruth and Suriya who host the Permaculture Kids Club at Grow Mayow Community Garden, Sydenham.

A herb spiral

What is permaculture? It's a design approach to any human activity and is a combination of Ecology, Architecture and Organic Gardening. 

Who is it for?

Parents with children age 6-11

Maximum 3 places per family (eg 1 parent + 2 children). There are 15 places in total. Light refreshments are available, please bring lunch (to share if possible!).

More information/booking
Read all about the principles of Kids' Permaculture here 
Email: organicgardener@yahoo.co.uk

or jane.hearn@goldsmithscommunityhub.org.uk

Build a Bug Hotel in the community garden 17 August 10-2pm
PLEASE NOTE THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

What is a bug hotel? If you look it up on Google there are horror stories of hotels and bed bugs, but this is different; a home for bugs to shelter, live and reproduce in that we will design and build ourselves.

Who is it for?

Parents with children age 6-11

Maximum 3 places per family (1 parent + 2 children, 2 parents + 1 child). There are 15 places in total.

Where?

Room 3 at Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD [map].

More information/booking

Contact Jo Cooper: jo.cooper@pre-school.org.uk or on 020 8695 5955 option 3

Composting workshops starting 25 July, on Wednesdays and Fridays

There are 15 spaces available on each workshop, which is just over an hour long. The workshops have been arranged at times to suit everyone.

Suitable for adults and young people age 16+

It’s best to book so you don’t miss out, but if you haven’t booked you’re welcome to see if there’s space to join us on the day.

More information

For more information about the workshops contact kristina.binns@lewisham.gov.uk
Alternatively call 020 8314 2145 to leave a detailed message. 

BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE NOW (opens new window)

Love Food Hate Waste workshops and information stall starts 25 July

We waste a staggering amount of food in this country, due to confusion over date labels, buying too much and not using cooked or uncooked food in creative ways. Learn how to love food, and hate waste!

There are 15 spaces available on each workshop, which is just over an hour long. The workshops have been arranged at times to suit everyone. It’s best to book so you don’t miss out, but if you haven’t booked you’re welcome to see if there’s space to join us on the day.

Suitable for adults and young people age 16+

On Wed 15th August there will be a Love Food Hate Waste and Recycling stall in reception from 1.30pm.

Where?

Room 3 at Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD [map]. Room 3 opens on to the newly created Goldsmiths Community Garden which grows herbs and medicinal plants for the learning and enjoyment of all. 

More information

For more information about the workshops contact kristina.binns@lewisham.gov.uk
Alternatively call 020 8314 2145 to leave a detailed message. 

BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE NOW (opens new window)

Recycling
Unsure about what should and what should not go in your recycling bin? Come along and find out!

The recycling stall will be in the community centre reception on the following days/times:
Wed 25th July 10am
Wed 1st August 1pm
Fri 3rd August 3pm
Wed 8th August 1.30pm
Fri 10th August 11.30am

Where?

Reception at Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD [map].

More information

For more information about the information stall contact kristina.binns@lewisham.gov.uk
Alternatively call 020 8314 2145 to leave a detailed message. 

Interested in food and cooking? There are lots of activities at the community centre this summer from Limelight Family Learning Centre and Delicious Nutritious UK!