Community planter
Pagoda
Back wall

Guy Street Park Community Garden - 2006

Over the last year, Friends of Guy Street Park members have continued to tend the community garden. Activities included weeding, pruning, some planting and general maintenance. The autumn bulb planting session produced a selection of spring flowers. The group has also obtained funding for additions to the garden. These include a pergola, a rowan tree and new shrubs. Two trelliswork fences have been placed in the area in front of the north wall. Clematis, roses, honeysuckle, jasmine and other climbers have been planted around the pergola and trellises. The garden is popular with visitors in all seasons, but especially in summer and autumn, when it is at its best. The Friends of Guy Street Park welcome new members and anyone who would just like to join in one of our gardening sessions.

The community garden makes up a quarter of the space in Guy Street Park. It has been entirely designed by the community for the community. Three local women and members of FOGSP set up the garden sub group. Together they consulted the community on what should be in the community garden. The community wanted a garden made of natural materials and in keeping with the surrounding architecture. For safety the community wanted the garden to be open and all areas to be visible to the surrounding flats.

Things the community wanted.

  • Fragrant colourful planting - achieved
  • Raised bed for community planting - achieved
  • Wooden benches - achieved
  • Brick path - achieved
  • Water feature - still not yet achieved !

FOGSP Gardening Sub Group and Community Planting Events
The gardening sub group is made up of three local women - Jenny, Justine and Pauline who share an amateur interest in gardening. Over the past few years they have been working with Southwark Council's Parks department to make the community garden come to life. They have chosen the bricks, benches and plants for the community garden. The Garden sub group are responsible for organising the forth coming community planting events and setting up the gardening clubs.

The first community planting event will be held at the Official Opening of the Park on Saturday 26th April 2003 from 2.00 - 4.00pm All members of the community are invited to joins us in planting up the raised bed.

How to get involved

We are looking for people who are interested in gardening to join us and get involved in planting and maintaining the community garden. Open to everyone whether you are new to gardening or a budding professional. We will welcome anyone old and young, but the under 16's need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. No tools required - we will supply plants, gloves and equipment and even some refreshments too. All you have to do is turn up at events in comfortable clothes and footwear.

For more information contact justine@guystreetpark.com

Funding

Most of the funding for the community garden has been raised by FOGSP

Funding sources

  • Pool of London - Path, Patio, Benches, Bins, Hedging, Trees
  • Cross River Partnership - Raised Bed, Flag stones, Plants and Community Gardening Clubs
  • Southwark Health Action Zone - Community Planting Events
  • St Johns and St Olaves in Bermondsey - Tree
  • Leathermarket JMB - donated a bench in memory of a recently deceased resident and former employee