Genevieve Colliers lives at Kingsley flats in SE1. She writes, below, about setting up a gardening club there.
"We are a group or residents who recently got together because we want to grow vegetables and flowers where we live. We are lucky to have an enclosed courtyard but for years it’s been very unloved, dominated by the rubbish bins and service vehicles. There’s plenty of room to add some greenery and grow a bit of veg. The idea is to set up about 12 raised beds, some for individuals to look after and some for everyone to share.
"I don’t think any of us have had a garden of our own since living in London and we are all craving just a little space to try things out. Nearly everyone remembers growing things with our parents or grandparents. Trisha remembers her Mum talking to their little garden to encourage it to grow and how she would always win school competitions for the biggest daffodils and nasturtiums.
"There are about 10 of us at the moment and I’m sure more people will get involved once they can see what’s going on. It’s a good mixture of long-term tenants and private leaseholders too. We are being helped to get things going by Layla in the Peabody community development team which has been really important. Some residents have strong views about the potential for attracting rats and about vehicle access and Layla has been evaluating each concern.
"A grant from Capital Growth will pay for compost, netting, wheelbarrows and tools etc and we have been offered a donation of about 15 tonnes of soil by the contractors who are redeveloping the adjacent pub. We are currently in the last stages of working out how many raised beds we can afford and where they can be safely positioned. So I’m hoping that some time in August we will have the beds in place, with soil prepared and plenty of time to plant things that benefit from a winter frost like onions, cabbages and winter spinach.
"What’s been great is how already, people who’ve been living here for years are talking for the first time and creating all sorts of plans to improve the courtyard and have social events. There’s a real desire to brighten up the place and take pride in where we live."
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