Blooming Lambeth Jupiter Court, Caldwell Gardens Estate

Blooming Lambeth

In summer 2017, IEL’s judges and writer/photographer Elaine Kramer looked at gardens nominated by gardeners, friends and neighbours. Lambeth’s Mayor, Cllr Marcia Cameron, presented 18 of the borough’s best gardens and gardening communities with awards in a ceremony at the recently-reopened Museum of Garden History. Every garden won £100 to invest in growing better next year.

Two of the winners were:

• Caldwell Gardens

With funding from Lambeth Council, support and guidance from Edible Living, Myatt’s Fields Park, and in particular, Urban Growth’s design and installation of giant raised beds the courtyard was transformed into a thriving green space, growing organic fruit and vegetables alongside flowers. “Gardening is always on the TRA’s agenda. Many more neighbours are spending time in the new garden enjoying it, watering when needed, harvesting veg and herbs, and watching everything grow.”

• Best Individual Garden

Mr and Mrs Morris’ garden was nominated by their daughter, Dionne:

“I would like to nominate my mother and father for the Home in bloom category because they take great pride in creating a little garden oasis in a small space that not only brightens up their home but the rest of Jupiter Court.”

Word from the Council

 Cllr Marcia Cameron, Lambeth’s Mayor, said: “Sometimes as a Councillor you hear bad things about Lambeth – but I know so much to be proud of: the busy-ness of Waterloo Station, open-air swimming at the Lido, a working windmill, the Black Cultural Archives. Here we are at the world’s first garden museum – and it’s in Lambeth.

“And something we can be particularly proud of is this – so many community activists growing food, growing communities, all doing something to help Lambeth be a better place.”

For more information

• Food growing is getting bigger and bigger on Lambeth estates. It brings communities and generations together and inspires healthy eating. A trained Community Gardener from Urban Growth will help get your project up and running. You’ll have opportunities to get involved in cooking (or cookery lessons) and other food workshops. Please contact gettinginvolved@lambeth.gov.uk
• Incredible Edible Lambeth (IEL) is a network of food growers and activists working to improve our communities. We exist to re-localise the food system in Lambeth so that it nurtures us and strengthens our communities. See a map of what’s growing where and read more about IEL’s campaigns on the Incredible Edible website.
• An exhibition of Blooming Lambeth photos will be on at the Garden Museum until 28 January. See their ‘events’ pages for more details.

Thank you to photographer Elaine Kramer for the words and pictures on the ‘Blooming Lambeth’ pages.