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.

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!

Midsummer update

Note the bucket and terracotta pipes - more later

This is the community garden in mid-February 2013 before the fruit trees were planted. We received a grant of £150 towards a mini-orchard from Capital Growth, and Elwood kindly bought and collected them from Keepers Nursery near Maidstone.

The photograph below was taken in May, with the fruit trees planted and settled in. We are now the proud guardians of three apple trees, three pear trees, a King James mulberry tree and a red filbert. The apple trees flowered and have produced fruit. The idea was to replace the brambles, which local people could pick if they dared, with something more substantial and less thorny! Removing the chain link fence from behind the palisade means that we can remove the bindweed more easily too.

The community garden benefitted last year from the Groundwork Hampton Court Flower Show re-use scheme, and again this June from their Chelsea Flower Show re-use scheme co-ordinated by Anne Marie of Lewisham Gardens.

Last year the plants were collected and distributed at St Swithun's, Hither Green Lane, and this year at Spring Gardens, Hither Green, a homeless hostel managed by the St Mungo's charity. The first articulated lorry turned up bearing large quantities of york stone, paving blocks and aggregate and the driver kindly gave us both a go of the grabber remote control - an unrealised dream until then!

Payback has paid off!

The payback team have taken the community garden to their hearts. Without their careful tending of the garden every Sunday, I would need to be there a lot more.

White borage, lovage and achillea with fruit trees in the background

Every time I visit there is a delightful new addition to the garden - this edging was made and installed by the team. The team have taken enthusiastically to planting, and the 40 or so plants I collected from Spring Gardens were in the following day. In some surprising places....

Imaginative use of the terracotta pipes, and a galvanised bucket! I hope to encourage the team to eat the lettuces and peas growing out of the pipes, which Anne Marie refers to as chimneys. The plants seem to like it and who knows, it may start a trend!

Courgette and leek, 'pipe' grown

The Apothecary Garden

Here are some photos of the apothecary garden, in full bloom. The white borage plant, bought last year from Dig This nursery in New Cross Gate (do pay a visit, if you need some herbs) surpassed all expectations.

The herb spiral, created last September

This is a garden I visited recently, in Downham. It was created and maintained by a group of disabled people, who due to funding cuts no longer tend it. I am looking at it for a project involving older people and gardening, and another to link community venues and green spaces across Downham, Whitefoot and Grove Park. Can you guess where it is?

Please visit the Downham Interagency website for details of how to get involved in these projects.

Garden Party

Goldsmiths Community Centre Garden Party

On Saturday September 22nd from 12 to 4 pm all are welcome to enjoy Goldsmiths Community Centre's Apothecary Garden to mark the end of the Hubbub media resource project and to raise funds and awareness for the Goldsmiths Well Being Room.

Creating the herb spiral

As suggested by the CEL students who took part in the Hubbub project the themes of the garden party are Well Being and Making Connections. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the Well Being Room at Goldsmiths Community Centre, and what health and Well Being services are available locally and at the Community Centre.

Clay oven for delicious pizzas!

Healthy hot food will be available fresh and hand made from the pizza oven, and a range of traditional home made produce like cakes, lemonade, ginger beer, chutney, pesto and hummous will be on sale.

There will also be a book stall, bric-a- brac and raffles.

Come and enjoy the last of the good weather in a beautiful garden setting. See you on Saturday 22nd!

SPONSORED BIKE RIDE

The Goldsmiths Community Centre Well Being room is a project that's been running since 2009 and making a positive difference to the local community of Downham.

The Well Being Room is a hub for health and well being in Downham. It provides sign posting to local health and well being services as well as offering low cost complementary therapies.

To support this Rowland Smith and Elwood Amey who run the project are taking part in the Question Challenge bike ride . . .

WHO? Elwood and Rowland as they run the Well Being Room, also other members of DUCK Cycling Club doing their own fund raising challenges and joining in just for fun.

WHERE? Visiting all the places that sound like questions within cycling distance of London, so….starting at: HOWE, Norfolk, then WARE, Hertfordshire, then HOO, Medway, ending at WYE in Kent.

WHEN? Friday 5th October to Sunday 7th of October 2012

WHY? Why not? Cycling is a great way for people to keep fit. Elwood and Rowland want to use this challenge to show that anybody can take up cycling AND enjoy it AND raise some money to support a great project.

If you'd like to support a health project that's been making a difference since 2009 please visit the Charity Giving website http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/questionchallenge and make a donation to support the Goldsmiths Community Centre Well being Room.

Free workshops start today - here comes summer at last

Glorious weather, finally! Just in time for the workshops to start. Today from 10am onwards Kristina Binns from Lewisham Council is providing a recycling information stall in the centre reception area. At 1.30pm she will be hosting a composting workshop and at 3.30pm a Love Food Hate Waste workshop. If you come to both as I'm going to you can learn all about creative ways of using leftovers, storing food correctly and if you can't use it, compost it! More information on these workshops and permaculture/build a bug hotel can be found on the earlier blog post here. Please come along and check it out to see if there are spaces available - you can visit the garden in progress too.

I have to say the compost heap is smelling lovely at the moment. Very compost-y, is that the word? Rowland helped me water the garden including the heap and planted several herbs and medicinal plants from the big plant giveaway.  We had a closer look at the St John's Wort growing by the preschool fence. Rowland showed me the translucent spots on the leaves that mature to produce the oil. It is an exquisite plant, very delicate in contrast to its showier relatives.

St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - link to uses

Today (when I'm not at the workshops) I will be mostly raiding the allotment garden for more plants. It's getting overgrown so I will be doing it a favour. 

The circular bed and herb border

Now there is more light coming in through the fence, the lavender bushes are flowering for the first time in years. Marjoram, which must have self-seeded, is growing underneath and the soil is very compacted and mossy. They really need to be in a sunnier spot so once they've finished flowering I'll cut back and transplant. That area is crying out for some woodland plants: foxgloves and pulmonaria

On the home front, the rain has obviously benefitted the garden and my agapanthus which usually produces one measly flower head if anything, has four large globes. It's growing in a very large pot among japanese anemones. This was sold to me many moons ago as Anemone hupehensis 'Hadspen Abundance' but it doesn't look like the photos being a lighter pink. It is alive with honey and bumble bees.

Agapanthus

Anemone hupehensis 'Hadspen Abundance' - or is it?

I just had to include a photo of this beautiful rose, Joie de Vivre. I'm still reading 'No Dig Gardening' by Ruth Stout and will have to put off the review and received wisdom until next time! It's such a harsh climate on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Joie de Vivre, rose of the year 2011

WORKSHOPS IN NEW CROSS

Three Cafe Crema garden events for aug-oct 2012

August 11th 10-1

Horticultural workshop and fruit tree pruning

Paul Ritchens from The Kings Cross Skip Garden leads this session on pest recognition and organic pest control strategies. This session would be great for beginners and enthusiasts and people who really don't want to douse their trees and gardens with harmful pesticides but don't want everything to get eaten either... Also good for new gardeners and allotment holders. After the morning session there will be a break for lunch (you are welcome to bring a picnic or you can buy something from the Cafe) followed by a short practical session looking at the new espalier trees and doing some summer formative pruning. Session ends at 1pm. All welcome, free. 

Please drop in to the Cafe or text Kiri to reserve a place. 07950 552 571.

Many thanks to Lewisham Council's 'Community Gardens Small Grant Award' for funding this event.

Come and try your hand at Botanical Illustration at Cafe Crema....

Free botanical illustration workshops will be held on Sat 15th sept and oct 13th from 3.30 til 5.30.

Learn to paint and draw botanical specimens with professional artist Alison Day from Lewisham Arthouse. Explore the autumn colours, shapes and textures of the local flora found in the wildlife garden at Café Crema. Suitable for adults and children over 10 yrs, (or younger if they are very keen.) No previous experience needed. Materials provided. You are also welcome to bring your own sketchbooks/ pencils if you prefer.

These two events are organised in partnership with London Wildlife Trust.

To reserve a place please text 07950 552 571 or email: freshfilmscafe@hotmail.com. You will need to drop by to leave a £3 deposit to keep your place, but this will be returned to you on arrival. Refreshments will be provided.

Cafe Crema: 306 New Cross Road, London SE14 6AF. Close to the Town Hall and almost opposite the venue, minutes from New Cross Gate station. Tel: 020 8320 2317

Apples and pears and surprising discoveries

Espalier fruit trees
Some examples of espalier trained apples and pears in the walled garden at St John's Jerusalem, a 13th century chapel in Sutton-at-Hone, in the Darent valley. The chapel and gardens are open one afternoon a week from April until September.

The walled garden at St Johns Jerusalem

Two crimson roses have emerged from the blanket of brambles and weeds, liberated at last into the air and sunlight.  The cardboard collars seem to be working! Both are highly fragrant, one is more 'winey' than the other. Karen and I compared the scents. I shall miss her volunteering after her baby yoga class and her serene take on life.

I dug out some huge bramble roots and covered the areas with cardboard - another trip to the Co-op is in order for more supplies. There are plenty of worms and the soil is easy to dig. Under the plastic are some truly humungous slugs. Karen said she has made a gastropod restaurant (no, not a gastropub although if you included beer...) where she puts all her leftover lettuce and berries and her plants are untouched.

Light in the garden has made such a difference, as well as being able to see in and out and chat through the fence. The woodbine, lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina', is in full flower alongside the climbing rose 'Masquerade' on the fence by the preschool. They are so similar in colour that it's hard to make out the rose blooms among the honeysuckle but both are beautiful. You just have to get close, which is not a bad thing.

The Woodbine; Lonicera Periclymenum Serotina

Roses among the thorns; is this William Shakespeare?

The Wellbeing Service has moved into Room 3 and the corridor is bright and cheerful with posters and information. Yesterday I met Sorrell Robbins, who responded to the Give 2 Hours campaign to volunteer in the garden. Sorrell is a herbalist and was able to give me valuable advice as well as identifying plants in the centre gardens that can be used in the apothecary garden. I was immediately able to pass on my new knowledge of St John's Wort to Karen as there is some growing by the preschool fence. 

Time for a raid on the allotment garden, now sadly overgrown - if I'm not careful I may start tidying that up too. Picking strawberries from the few that haven't been eaten by snails, a hidden bramble ripped my hand. This garden is a testament to time-limited funded projects and I feel sad that all the energy and enthusiasm that went into designing it and tending it has gone. An hour or two a week would keep the cafe in fresh veg and salad, at least for some of the year. There has to be another way otherwise sustainability will become just another buzzword, a metaphor for someone else will do it and no-one does.

The herbs are looking very perky and comfortable now. After weeding the beds and pruning the weigela to a more upright shape, I planted some of the treasures from the big plant giveaway last week. Anne-Marie from Lewisham Gardens organised a delivery from the show gardens of RHS Hampton Court Flower Show by Groundwork London, sourced a garden big enough to accommodate 2,000+ plants at St Swithuns in Hither Green and then let community groups, gardens, churches and schools know, compiling a list and arranging times to visit. On Saturday in the pouring rain, representatives came along and filled a wheelbarrow (one person demanded more but that's another story!). Congratulations and a big thank you to Anne-Marie, her actions and organisational skills have benefitted many groups in Lewisham and their gardens will all look the lovelier for it.

Some of the plants are still in my garden, ready for planting next time. It was so interesting planting through the cardboard and mulch. More on 'No Dig' gardening next time, I now have the book originally published in 1962. Couldn't resist it!

A herb quintet - mint, sage, fennel, chives and marjoram

Flowering thyme

Fat Head lavender, flowering for over a month

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!