The idea
Bandstand Beds Association (BBA) Community Garden on Windmill Drive SW4 has been built by volunteers on a very uneven corner of the green waste site, formerly known as the dump, on Clapham Common. Last year we raised money from Lambeth parks events levy for accessible pathways for the original part of the garden. This year Lambeth gave us a second part of the green waste site to extend the garden. This is fantastic but - this part of the site is more uphill and has a crumbling concrete gun placement from WWII. Bark chippings have been laid by volunteers as a temporary measure, but we urgently need to find a permanent solution to make the garden safer for all.
We need to raise £5,000 to make this new part of the garden stable and accessible. If we raise this amount, Lambeth will commission the work to be carried out by the contractors who laid pathways in the original part of the garden, saving us £1,000 on VAT. Please help us raise this money.
What we'll deliver
- Put in place new broad hoggin paths to provide a safe way through the garden
- Stabilise the concrete slab, particularly the edge, to remove trip hazard
Why it's a great idea
It will make the garden a safer place for all! Without your help Age UK Lambeth will not be able to bring their elderly clients to us for tea, chat and gentle gardening. Our blind and partially sighted visitors from the Thomas Poklington Trust in Wandsworth cannot extend their Saturday wanderings into the whole garden, smelling the herbs and enjoying the sensory experience of vegetables growing. All of our volunteer members, their families and friends will have a safer and more relaxed experience working and enjoying our wonderful food growing space.
Steps to get it done
- once target is met get work commissioned by Lambeth with contractor
- once work on paths and concrete edge completed have launch event
In the past 18 months Bandstand Beds Association membership has gone from below 10 to approaching 100. By carrying out this essential work we will be able to open the garden to more people, particularly less able bodied people, and to increase social cohesion between these often more isolated groups and the wider community. These and for example schools' groups are interested in visiting the garden for learning purposes but cannot do so until it is made safe.
