The idea
The Friends of Feltham Green plan to install nine new, specially designed oak planters on the railings that form the border between Feltham Green and the War Memorial on the High Street. The existing plastic planters were installed by local people a few years ago, under their own initiative. They are too small in size and number to make enough visual impact and dry out quickly during hot weather. Whilst these efforts were very much welcomed, Friends of Feltham Green wish to commission purpose built planters that are appropriate in scale and design for this important, green heritage site within the town centre. The planters will be unique to Feltham: working in partnership with Hounslow Men's Shed, they will be designed and made by local people. The fronts of the oak planters will be carved with designs associated with Feltham and its history. Local volunteers will then plant them up in time for Remembrance Sunday 2021. The Friends will take ongoing care of them.
What we'll deliver
- Nine new, specially designed oak planters for Feltham Green
- The planters will be planted up with a selection of plants to provide year-round interest
Why it's a great idea
During 2019, Hounslow Council conducted an extensive public consultation process to guide an ambitious regeneration programme for Feltham Green. The Friends were set up in December 2019 to support this process and manage volunteering activity to help maintain the Green. The regeneration project was scheduled for completion during 2020, but due to the pandemic, the majority of the work is yet to be undertaken. We hope installing specially designed new oak planters in such a prominent place within the town centre will provide much needed optimism and confidence that all the hopes and ambitions expressed during the consultation will be delivered. The project will provide a focus for the recently formed Friends of Feltham Green and an opportunity to collaborate with other local organisations. Local people will have the chance to make a positive contribution towards improving the public realm by helping to design and make the planters, and then planting them up.
Steps to get it done
- Consult local people about choice of carvings for front of oak planters
- Place orders for materials (specialist liners, timber, metal, fixings)
- Finalise design of carvings and construct planters
- Purchase plants and compost
- Install planters on the railings at Feltham Green
- Plant up planters
The Green has been an important public space for over a hundred years. There is huge potential benefit to its location on Feltham High Street, which could provide a focal point for the town centre and its diverse communities of residents (many of whom live in high-rise accommodation without direct access to outdoor recreational space), children from nearby schools, shoppers and businesses on the High Street. As a result of feedback following extensive public consultation in 2019, proposed improvements include increasing visibility from the High Street; installing CCTV; creating a play area for young children; creating community planting areas for children and local residents; planting more trees; creating beds for wild-flower planting and a bee corridor; creating a garden around Freddie Mercury's memorial (one-time resident of Feltham and an important site for fans from all over the world); and building a cabin on the Green to act as a focal point for the community.
