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.
Word from the Council
Lambeth’s Mayor, Cllr Marcia Cameron 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.”
Flora Parked
Inspired by the lush green streets in Vauxhall (such as nearby Bonnington Square), Ian Goode and Goldie Chaudhuri found themselves wishing they had wider pavements. In June 2017 @floraparked arrived on Heyford Avenue, Stockwell. A car trailer was repurposed, filled with a ton of soil and planted up with a whole variety of herbs and vegetables. Passers-by and neighbours are welcome to help themselves to the fresh street produce with no food miles involved.
As Ian remarks, “Part vegetable bed, part excuse for neighbours to chat. Parked up for the growing season for the entire neighbourhood to enjoy. The herb garden now provides the perfect backdrop for impromptu street gatherings.”
For more information
- Follow @floraparked on Twitter
- 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 our campaigns on our news pages.
Thank you to photographer Elaine Kramer for the words and pictures on the ‘Blooming Lambeth’ pages.
