www.islington.gov.

uk

GreenspaceLife
For all those interested in and passionate about parks and green spaces

Inside this issue

Introduction
Community and
Stakeholder News
Updates from
Greenspace
Special feature
Sowing the seeds
of friendship in the
Blackstock Triangle

Events
In Bloom winners
announced

Issue 4 Autumn/Winter 2010

 Introduction
Welcome to Greenspace Life. The name is, we
feel, really appropriate - looking at all the
fantastic things going on it is clear that our
parks and open spaces really are full of life!

This newsletter is a celebration of all the things that

Islington’s communities are doing to get involved in
caring for and ensuring the parks are well used and
well loved. Many of our community groups have been
recognised with various awards, from ‘Best Community
Garden in London’ for King Henry’s Walk to RHS
Neighbourhood awards and Green Pennants. This is
great reward for all of the hard work that local people
have put into the parks.
Greenspace has always sought to involve and engage
with the local community and you have welcomed and
embraced that. We are very fortunate in Islington to
have a wealth of Friends groups to work with. This has
been strengthened with the launch of the Friends
Forum that will provide more opportunity for Friends
groups to engage with the council and be involved in
the big decisions that affect the management of
our parks.
This partnership between the council and the
community will now be more important than ever if
we are going to ensure that our parks and open spaces
continue to be the well used and valued spaces that
they are at the moment.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Greenspace Life and
it inspires you to get even more involved.

Best wishes,

eam
The Greenspace T

1 2
 cial
p e ure
S at
fe Community and Stakeholder News

Sowing the seeds of friendship

in the Blackstock Triangle
In 2009, the free wildflower seeds
that were given away by Islington in
Bloom inspired residents of Ambler
Road, Plimsoll Road and Prah Road in
the Blackstock Triangle (N4), to
plant up tree pits along their streets,
with very satisfying results.
Heartened by the local enthusiasm for this
initiative, they embarked on a more ambitious
collaboration. Using leafleting, knocking on
doors and email, more residents were
encouraged to beautify their front gardens as a
contribution to the whole neighbourhood.
These efforts resulted in people donating
unwanted plants to others, sharing seeds,
tools, containers, compost and advice. They
entered the Islington in Bloom Awards (for
streets/parts of streets) and all three streets
won prizes, including a special award to Ambler
and Plimsoll Road for Community Participation.
In 2010 efforts were doubled and the sections
of streets that were involved extended, by
knocking on more doors.
In Bloom prize money was used to buy daffodil
bulbs, which brightened up front gardens in
spring, and hyacinth bulbs which were
distributed for local children to plant and grow
indoors. Fifty local residents joined in the
‘Three sisters’ project by growing maize,
squash and beans in grow bags that could be
seen from the street. (continues next page...)

3
Community and Stakeholder News

Sowing the seeds of friendship in

the Blackstock Triangle (ctd)
The venture was launched at a ‘Cake Sunday’
event, for which residents brought along
home-made cakes and in many cases met each
other for the first time. Wildflower gardens
were planted in neglected front patches.
Donated window boxes and containers were
planted up and distributed to those with little
colour out front. Funding was found to dig up
concrete from forecourts and ‘green them up’
instead. Ceramics from City and Islington
College were distributed for use as bird baths,
and participants were encouraged to put bird
feeders and rainwater butts outside their
homes. Neighbours worked together to help
the less able to weed, plant, cut hedges and
clear rubbish from their front gardens. Fifteen
larger tree pits edged by the Council were
planted up. Some 150 people – from owned,
rented and council properties – participated in
some way, and many joined an email news
circuit to be kept informed about events
and other matters of local interest
beyond gardening.
Friendships blossomed with the flowers, and
the effect has been to create a closer, happier,
safer community, in which neighbours know
and support each other.
Watch this space as plans are already unfolding
for next year.

4
Community and Stakeholder News

River of Flowers
Small Business with big heart bags Giant Green Award

At the Giant Green Awards Ceremony held on Thursday 4 November, the Archway
Herbal Clinic won the Small Business Green Engagement Award for ‘River of Flowers’
and its work bringing wildflowers back into cities.
The Green Engagement Award is for individuals or groups that have championed environmental responsibility
and awareness within their organisation and to the wider community and act as an example for others.

Kathryn Lwin Brooks, Director of the Archway Herbal Clinic says: “River of Flowers has been successful because
it is simple, ‘doable’ and within the remit of almost everyone. In fact you only have to clear a space in your
garden and they ‘will come’ - to paraphrase ‘The Field of Dreams’. We hear all these doom and gloom stories
about the environment and most people throw up their hands and say: ‘What can I do about it? How can
anything I do make a difference?’
Our pollinators are vanishing and our wildflowers are in decline yet there is so much that ordinary people
working together can do to bring them back.”

To find out how you can make a difference, please get in touch with Kathryn, at kathryn@riverofflowers.org,
020 8411 4411

Newington Green
Three Awards for
Newington Green!
Newington Green has once again won a Green
Flag Award and, for the 4th year running, has
also received the prestigious Green Heritage
Award which is sponsored and administered by
English Heritage. The Newington Green Action
Group’s (NGAG) popular local history book ‘The
Village That Changed the World’ by Alex
Allardyce, now in its second edition, contributed
to our success in gaining the Heritage Award.
NGAG teamed up with both the Mayville
Gardening Club and King Henry’s Walk
Community Garden for In Bloom and we were
successful in being awarded a High Silver Gilt
RHS Urban Communities Award.
www.newingtongreen.org.uk

5
Community and Stakeholder News

Thornhill Bridge
New Food Growing Area on
top of Islington Tunnel
Thornhill Bridge Community Gardeners (TBCG) have successfully fundraised for and constructed a new
food growing space along the Regents Canal on top of the Islington Tunnel; this is part of the Greener
Islington and healthy communities’ initiative ‘Edible Islington’, which has helped support a number of
projects in allotments and community food growing sites.
TBCG commissioned BTCV volunteers to put in some raised beds and carry out the necessary ground
works. TBCG have added more food growing containers, soil, compost, seeds, plants, as well as a water
harvesting system.

Award News...
In addition, Thornhill Bridge Community Gardeners received an RHS
‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ award, Getting Thriving (Level 4) and only
missing the top category by eight points.
Read an extract from the judges’ report below.

“ This project is a wonderful example of how

partnership working can result in positive benefits to
the community. The canal-side site at the rear of
Kings Cross station was once uninviting and lacking in
interest but is now being transformed into a safe an
accessible community space. A number of grant
awards have been forthcoming to make the
transformation of the sites possible, and in particular
the recent £100k Heritage Lottery Fund which will
allow the next phase of the programme. Community
consultation is seen as an essential tool, and work has
been conducted through the involvement and
contribution of local children, corporate volunteers and
organisations such as Groundforce. A close working
relationship with the London Borough of Islington and
British Waterways has ensured continuity of the
project and ongoing support. Funding sources
continue to be explored, both locally and nationally,
and evidence of more recent phases of the scheme
were witnessed in the community vegetable space,

.”
the creation of nesting islands on the canal, and the
much admired artwork on Thornhill Road Bridge.

6
Community and Stakeholder News

Wilton Square
Green Machine makes lighter work
at Wilton square event
South Islington rangers converted to total pedal power
at the Wilton Square community gardening day held on
Saturday 30th October. All the tools and bulbs were
transported in a new bespoke trailer pulled by a bicycle.

Chris Ingram, Community Ranger, says: “This is a faster

and cheaper way of transporting tools and equipment
around Islington. The ‘Green Machine’ (as the new trailer
has been affectionately nicknamed) beats the diesel van
in so many ways. Not only it does not have any harmful
exhaust fumes, it helps keep me fit too!”

Local volunteers planted some 800 bulbs, which should

blossom into English Bluebells, wild garlic, wood
anemones and crocuses in time for spring 2011.
Volunteers also kept themselves busy by raking leaves
off the lawn, weeding and pruning.

St Luke’s
Islington Horticultural Show
On Saturday 18 September the St Luke's Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council
and the Islington Organic Growers Network, hosted the annual Islington Horticultural Show.
This was the show's third year and each year moves to a different food growing location
around the borough.

The event had a classic village fete feel, despite being held in one of the most densely populated
and least green areas in London. Activities included ‘splat the rat’, a lucky dip, a jazz band and
maypole dancing, along with a range of workshops and hands-on activities such as seed sowing,
cookery demonstrations, willow weaving and compost master classes.

Gardeners gathered from all over Islington and many of them were funded through the council's
Edible Islington programme, which has supported over 100 community food growing projects.
All were encouraged to enter their produce in a number of categories including longest runner
bean, tallest sunflower, set of tomatoes or potatoes and even ugliest vegetable. Over 250
people attended the event and enjoyed the chance to show off their horticultural efforts
and achievements.

7

The Friends of Barnard Park rally the
troops and carry out some planting in
the park to help increase community
ownership.
Community and Stakeholder News
Barnard Park
It’s not easy being green, but
the effort can be well worth it...
While waiting for works to get started on the exciting masterplan for the
renovation of Barnard Park, we at the Friends of Barnard Park decided to
concentrate on small changes which would make our tired park look more
welcoming. The Friends considered possible improvements and soon
discovered that new planting would be the cheapest way to make an impact
on the park. Area Parks Manager Bhupesh Thapa was swayed by local
enthusiasm and offered to supply plants and park keeper Eamon Tahoon lent
a hand on the day. But the Friends did most of the work themselves, with
the help of local residents and park users.
Several areas were chosen for a facelift including a disused sandpit in the
children’s playground, which had been the source of community discontent
for years. An overgrown shrubbery by the park’s main entrance off
Copenhagen Street was also replanted. Richard Meyers, Nature Conservation
Ranger, suggested plants to attract birds, butterflies and bees. The Friends
also supplied creative ideas and gardening skills, lead in their efforts by
Dianne Browning, a landscape gardener and designer, and Jo Murray, a
skillful plants woman active in Islington Gardeners.
Word in the park was not positive at first. Some passers-by dismissed
efforts to introduce plants as a waste of money, with doubters predicting
shrubs and flowers would be stolen or trampled. Indeed, pulling down
protective fencing around the shrubbery proved a nightly game for bored
youth. At times, it was like gardening in a war zone. How did most of this
year’s daffodils end up in heaps dumped into the football pitch? However,
local gardening skills prevailed in the end, as urban gardeners minded the
beds. New plants grown on an allotment were used to replace damaged
ones. Parched flowers were watered in the summer with watering cans that
had to be brought to the park in a barrow. Co-operation has grown step by
step with grounds maintenance contractor Enterprise.
The result of these efforts: a herb garden, planted with the help of children,
flourishes in the playground with lavender, thyme and rosemary. In late
summer, children can be seen playing on the paths next to bright blue drifts
of agastache and bronze fennel. The shrubbery survived more or less
without a protective barrier. Dark blue buddleja, orange pokers and blue
hebes are still in bloom in November, as I write this.
Community gardening is making a difference in Barnard Park. Now we get
thanks and compliments from park users. And the plants, to the surprise of
everyone, are still there (well, most of them).
Article by Diane Browning
If you’d like to get involved in community gardening in Barnard Park,
please contact the Friends at Friends@barnardpark.org or call
Bhupesh Thapa on 07825 098458.
The masterplan for the renovation of Barnard Park was created by
Latz and Partners through community consultation. For more details,
visit www.barnardpark.com
8
Community and Stakeholder News

Penn Road

Penn Road Gardens get

their first Green Pennant Award

Through working closely with the Greenspace team and in particular Bhupesh Thapa, we were
encouraged to enter the Green Flag award scheme and after discussion submitted our Green
Pennant paperwork. This helped us as a group to focus on some issues on maintenance and
management that we hadn't addressed before.
We were visited by the judge in May and spent some time with her describing the community
activities we held in our little Gardens. At the time she said she was impressed by what we did but
wouldn't say whether we qualified or not, so we had to sit tight.
Then in July we were told we had won the Green Pennant Award and were absolutely thrilled.
It is great to be recognised by people outside of our local neighbourhood and council; it makes all
the effort worthwhile.
Part of our submission included the proposed development of the Gardens, money for which was
given to us by Greenspace. We asked Colette Blanchard from the Community Landscape team to
be involved, as we had worked closely with her over the last few years. She came back with an
imaginative and radical proposal to transform our central area, keeping the same amount of lawn
but redesigning the bedding with an array of different planting.
These plans were put out to local people for comment and based on the feedback, at the
beginning of October, the work started. The first stage is now complete and we have two circular
lawns, with a very well turned-over outer bed, just waiting for planting up next spring.

Article by Keith Hodgson

9
Community and Stakeholder News

Bee Stop
A raised green space by Margot Bannerman
621-625 Holloway Road, N19 5ST
July - October 2010

Between July and October, above a bustling shopping parade near Archway, bang on
traffic-heavy Holloway Road, bees and passers-by alike had a brand new patch to
attract their attention… Bee Stop, a green roof created by artist Margot Bannerman.
For Bee Stop Margot worked alongside staff from Aldingbourne Nursery to create a ‘mini-meadow’ of resilient
nectar rich wild-flowers and plants.
Bee Stop was part of the Secret Garden Project created by UP Projects and commissioned by Islington
Council. The projects aim to create a series of temporary and longer-term artistic outdoor installations, giving
people the chance to really enjoy their local space.
Margot Bannerman is a practising artist and senior lecturer at the Byam Shaw School of Art in Archway
(Central Saint Martins at University of the Arts London). She is interested in creating new growing spaces in
urban environments and her current projects include research into vertical growing systems.

For more information about Bee Stop and other ongoing projects, visit www.secretgardenproject.co.uk

10
Updates from Greenspace
Islington Friends of Parks forum
gets off to a brilliant start Article by Sandra Young

The first Islington Friends of Parks Forum meeting was held at

Islington Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday 4 August 2010.
The meeting had over thirty members of Friends of Parks groups in attendance,
who were very positive and full of ideas about setting up the forum.
Establishing a forum had previously been discussed by residents at conferences
and other events. The main purpose of having a Friends of Parks forum is to
facilitate a common platform, bring together the friends of parks groups,
community organisations, the council, and other relevant bodies and individuals
who are interested in working towards the better management, sustainable
future and conservation of Islington’s parks and open spaces. The forum is not
intended to be council-led but to be run by the Friends themselves.
Dave Morris, Chair of Haringey Friends of Parks forum, came along to share his
experiences of setting up and running a borough-wide forum. Dave also chairs
the London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network and used to live in Islington.
His contribution was excellent and a real inspiration to everyone.
It was suggested that three members would help co-ordinate the forum and set
meeting dates for the first year. Barbara Hewson (Petherton Road Area
Residents Association), Jenni Chan (Friends of Paradise Park) and Mike Franks
(Friends of Spa Fields) were first to volunteer and will act as forum
coordinating group.
The second forum meeting was arranged for Thursday 25 November from 6pm
to 8.30pm at the Town Hall. Invitations went out to all the Friends. The agenda
covered those issues that received the most attention at the first meeting and
also addressed future priorities.

If you would like to attend future forum meetings, please email

laura.sanna@islington.gov.uk or telephone 020 7527 8839.

11
 Updates from Greenspace

New Youth Building in Bingfield Park

Article by Catherine Wright

Greenspace has been working with young people,

youth workers and local residents to deliver a new
1
building for the Sparkplug Motorcycle Project in
Bingfield Park, in the Caledonian Ward.

In 2002 Sparkplug was set up to address the scooter crime and anti-
social behaviour that was making the park a ‘no go area’ for local
residents. The work of Sparkplug along with the redevelopment of the
park in 2005 dramatically improved the safety of the park and
surrounding streets.
Sparkplug has developed over the years and is now a registered charity
that provides a variety of positive activities including mechanical skills
courses, off-road motorcycle training, residential riding trips and evening
youth clubs for local young people aged 8 to 19, many of whom find it
2 difficult to stay in mainstream education. These activities give young
people the opportunity to learn and spend time together, improve their
employability and develop their social and emotional skills.
Sparkplug was previously operating from an old council park
maintenance building that was in a state of disrepair. In 2007 funding
became available to build a new building for Sparkplug. Construction
started in December 2009 and the new two-story, fully accessible
building is now complete.
The new building includes a large forecourt with bike and kart stores,
spacious workshops, a multipurpose teaching room, office space and a
kitchen. The building also has a green roof and solar technology for
generating electricity and hot water. Ongoing works outside the building
will improve the entrance and access into Bingfield Park.
3 Young people and youth workers from Sparkplug are currently enjoying
their new facilities. Plans are being made to use the building to provide a
wider range of activities such as film nights, cooking workshops, sexual
health workshops, fatherhood/motherhood workshops and CV writing.

Pictured from top:

1. In the workshop
2. The bikes in action
3. Sparkplug’s new home
4. The opening ceremony, held on 28 October

For more information please contact Stephen Crabtree at

4 stephen.crabtree@islington.gov.uk or 020 7527 4631

12
Updates from Greenspace

Landscape Institute Award for Duncan Terrace Gardens

The new Duncan Terrace Gardens has collected another award, winning the
‘Under 1 Hectare’ category at the Landscape Institute Design Award 2010.

The Landscape Institute Awards are presented to recognise outstanding examples of work
by landscape professionals, contributing to an improved environment.
The improvement works at Duncan Terrace followed an extensive consultation to develop
the design while balancing the needs of the community and constraints of the site, and
taking into account future maintenance requirements.
We worked sensitively to protect the gardens’ mature trees and existing ecology, as we
reduced and lifted tree canopies to bring in more light and to allow colourful and diverse
planting underneath. Sightlines were
improved to increase the feeling of
well being and safety, while new
seating and entrances instantly make
the gardens more welcoming. The
pathways through the park were also
widened and an open, sunny lawn
area created.
The new planting will continue to
mature and develop over the coming
years, delighting visitors with vibrant
horticultural displays from spring
through to autumn.

Spring preparations for Joseph Grimaldi Park

Following improvement works to Joseph Grimaldi Park, the Projects and
Development team arranged for 1,000 daffodil bulbs to be planted in the
children’s area.
Pupils from nearby Gower School joined the Greenspace Community Rangers and worked
hard so visitors to the park will enjoy a floral display next spring.

On a completely different note…

On your next visit to the park, look out for the art installation near to Grimaldi’s monument.
Designed by public artist Henry Krokatsis, the installation is an interactive musical
instrument that recreates the famous songs played by Grimaldi on stage at Sadler’s Wells.

13
Updates from Greenspace

If you go down to Whittington Park today…

Whittington facilities official launch
Whittington Park came alive on 4 November,
as all gathered to celebrate the launch of the
new changing room building and ecology area.
Children from Yerbury School had a go at all
sorts of sports activities on the Astroturf and
took part in an ecology activity by the pond.
They were the first park users ever to use the
changing rooms! Over on the new skating
practice area, pupils from Holloway School
impressed viewers by showcasing their riding
skills. Lead Member Councillor Paul Smith
officially opened the new facilities and
Councillor Burgess for Junction Ward also
attended the event.

The new building sports many sustainable features including solar panels and a biomass boiler,
which uses wood pellets and logs to provide central and water heating, reducing harmful
emissions. The building is fully accessible and the Training Room has already been used by
Aquaterra and the Friends of Whittington Park and even hosted a small event for the Heart
and Stroke Group.

By next spring, the new ecology and pond area will become a haven for wildlife while the
‘learning zone’ within it will encourage and allow park users to discover the wonders of nature…
right on their doorstep.

A floral cat sculpture inspired by the

legend of Dick Whittington and his
cat was installed at the front of the
park. The sculpture is planted with
houseleeks, stonecrops and other
architectural rock plants. This should
become a great point of interest for
all: local residents will be familiar with
Dick Whittington’s links with the
Archway area, while the year-round
floral display will delight all visitors.

For further information please call or text Shan Burgess on 07825 098 449
or email: shandrina.burgess@islington.gov.uk.

14
Updates from Greenspace

Green Flag
The Green Flag Community Award (formally the Green Pennant Award) is a
national award that recognises high quality green spaces in England and Wales
that are managed by voluntary and community groups.
As a borough, Islington currently has five award-winning sites: Culpeper Community Garden, Freightliners
City Farm, King Henrys Walk Garden, Penn Road Gardens and Thornhill Bridge Community Garden.

All community green spaces are eligible to enter, so long as they are freely accessible to all and unlocked as
much as possible. We would like to encourage Friends of Parks groups to consider applying. To be eligible
though you would need to have a formal role in the management of the park or part of the park. This
could be in the form of a service level agreement to manage an aspect of the parks maintenance such as
the horticultural maintenance, as with Friends of Penn Road Gardens and Friends of Landseer or to manage
a defined part of the park. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to
renew their award status. Each application is scored against a detailed checklist based on the following
criteria:

A welcoming place - Areas to consider include equal and safe access for all, a welcoming feel and
accessible signage.

Healthy, safe and secure – Issues such as personal security, safe and appropriate equipment/facilities
and dog fouling are all assessed.

Clean and well maintained - There should be an appropriate standard of maintenance throughout the
site and effective management to combat issues such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.

Sustainability - Judges will examine environmental issues such as peat and pesticide use, sustainable
material use and waste minimisation.

Biodiversity and heritage - Judges will identify the nature conservation and historic features of each site
and look at the measures taken to maximise each site’s potential.

Community involvement - This is a key criterion for the Green Flag Community Award as it looks at how
well the site is embraced by the local and wider community.

Management/Achievements - Here, judges will look at what funding and resources have been secured
for a particular site and how these have been used. Creative and innovative projects are of
particular interest.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for all current Islington award-winners for their
2011 applications, and would also like to encourage new applications for inclusion.
If you are interested then please talk to your Area Parks Manager as soon as
possible. We will be happy to support you in any application.

For more information about the Green Flag Community Award, please visit the
Green Flag Award website at http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/Default.aspx
or get in touch with your local Area Park Manager. Call 020 7527 2000 for more details.

15
Updates from Greenspace

St Mary Magdalene’s Gardens in numbers… and words

Image © Max Rush 2010

Recent people counts show that the number of people using St Mary Magdalene’s
Gardens has increased by 348% since a recent improvement project was completed.
The feedback survey found that 95% of respondents felt the project had improved the park, 84% felt that the
improvements had made the area a better place to live and work and 71% said they will now use the park more.
Below are some of our favourite comments amongst the many you sent in:

“It is like something completely new. I love it. It is refreshing and more
approachable. It integrates the church more into the area rather than
behind iron fences. This is a nice psychological change. Great work!”

“The Gardens are really beautiful now, and I particularly like the 'fun'
features of the brick path and grassy humps.”

“Congratulations! It looks neater and feels a lot safer! An excellent

investment & job. The whole area has improved.
Thank you and well done. x”
For a more detailed project evaluation and all the comments received, Image © Max Rush 2010
contact Jon Winder on 020 7527 8110.

New River: There must be

something in the water…
New River, 27 and 30 July - Parents and children joined with the
South ranger team on two lovely days in July to carry out a water
quality survey on the New River. Tests were carried out to find out
about water clarity, acidity levels and metals content, besides
identifying the many creatures that live in and around the water.
The results were sent to the geography department of University
College London, who are participating in a national survey of
freshwater ponds with the Natural Environment Research Council.
If you are curious to find out more about the results of these tests,
contact Chris Ingram, South Area Community Ranger on
07825 098457.
Chris Ingram and friends...

16
Updates from Greenspace

A new building fit for King’s Square

An artist’s impression of the toilet facilities after the re-build

A re-build and refurbishment project is currently underway on the children’s toilet facilities
in King’s Square Gardens.
The work, which commenced in September this year and is scheduled for completion in February
2011, incorporates a range of improvements that will benefit users, including:
- improved disabled access
- a dedicated baby changing room
- an activity room for children and their parents/guardians
- a dedicated park keeper’s office
- a covered events platform (providing an entertainment area and also shelter for users during
extreme weather conditions)
- decorative security shutters
The re-build will vastly improve the look and feel of the area, as well as providing much needed
facilities for local users. For more information please contact: Jenifer.baker@islington.gov.uk

Did you know...?

Funding Central
Funding Central is a free smart website for all third sector organisations,
including community groups, which provides access to thousands of
funding and finance opportunities. The website also has a wealth of tools
and resources designed to support organisations to develop sustainable
income strategies appropriate to their needs.
For more information, please visit www.fundingcentral.org.uk/

17
Updates from Greenspace

Islington’s trees
get their
own guardian
The Tree Service held a
meeting on Thursday
21 October to launch
their brand new scheme:
The Tree Guardians.

This is a community-driven project

which engages residents and other
interested groups in the care of
Islington’s trees. The Tree Guardians
are only just getting going but
fantastically there are already 40
members of the public who are helping
look after their local trees. The scheme
came about because of the public
consultation over Islington Council’s
Tree Policy. It was highlighted then
that a significant number of Islington’s
residents shared a passion for trees
and were interested in taking on a
more active role in their care.

As well as helping with young tree care

and monitoring tree damage, the Tree
Guardians will be supporting existing
projects that are recording Islington’s
notable trees as well as developing and
supporting the use of fruit trees and
orchards around the borough.

. If you are interested in becoming a

Tree Guardian or you would like
further information on the scheme,
please contact the Tree Service at:
treeservice@islington.gov.uk

18
Updates from Greenspace

Improving play areas and outdoor sports facilities

Greenspace has been working
hard over the autumn and winter
on a range of improvements to
play and leisure facilities across
the borough.

Dartmouth Park in Junction ward will

benefit from a new multi-use games area,
with new football goals and basketball
hoops, improved drainage and better
fencing. The Friends of Dartmouth Park
have been fundamental to the success of
the project; they secured funding from
various sources including the Big
Lottery Fund and have been closely
involved throughout.

Basire Street Playground in St Peter’s ward has been improved with section 106 funding from a nearby
development. New play equipment has been installed, natural play opportunities have been created, trees
have been crown lifted and shrubs planted.

The tennis court area at Rosemary Gardens in Canonbury has also been improved with new floodlights,
fencing, football goals, basketball hoops and tennis nets. The new floodlights will now mean that the area can
be used in the evening throughout the winter for tennis, basketball, football and table tennis.

Finally, Paradise Park in Holloway ward will benefit from a

range of improvements. The council and the Friends of
Paradise Park both contributed funding towards the
installation of outdoor gym equipment, including a weights
machine, a stretch point, a fitness bike and a ski machine. The
football pitch will also be replaced this winter with a state of
the art artificial turf pitch, floodlights and new fencing. Once
the improvements to the pitch are complete, Islington will
have top quality artificial turf football pitches at Whittington
Park, Rosemary Gardens and Paradise Park.

For more information on any of the projects, please contact

Jon Winder on jon.winder@islington.gov.uk

19
Events
The following pages are a collection of snapshots of the summer events and community planting days,
none of which would have been possible without you.
Friends and volunteers contribute to making Islington an exciting place to be throughout the seasons,
proving that one cannot be too old, young or whatever to get involved and make a mark; thank you!

Summer 2010 with Friends of Wray Crescent

The Friends of Wray Crescent organised another great summer
festival in June. Hundreds of residents from the local community
gathered in Wray Crescent Park to enjoy the day. Entertainment
included a bungee trampoline, bouncy castles, stalls by St Mark’s and
Islington Arts & Media schools and the Islamic Centre, face painting,
raffle, football tournament, bird box making by the Community
Rangers, Freightliners Farm and loads more!
For further information please contact Community Ranger Celia
Parlak 07825 098 454 or email celia.parlak@islington.gov.uk

A Taste of Tradition at Whittington Park

The Turkish/Kurdish/Cypriot Women’s Group and Community Rangers
held their first ‘Taste of Tradition’ event in Whittington Park. Event
goers saw workshops on how to make traditional foods such as
cheese, yogurt and humus and took part in traditional folk dancing.
MP Jeremy Corbyn and Councillor Catherine West also came along.
For further information please contact Community Ranger Celia
Parlak 07825 098 454 or email celia.parlak@islington.gov.uk

Summer Dance in the Park

Friends of Whittington Park and Whittington Park Community
Association collaborated in a very successful Elders Dance at
Whittington Park. Music and fancy footwork were the order of
the day and a good time was had by all.
For further information please email Beatriz Echeverri - Chair
Friends of Whittington Park at beatriz@gn.apc.org

20
Events

Grenville Gardens – 14 August

The adverse weather did not stop the Friends of Grenville
Gardens from holding their first ever outdoor event. In true
Great British style, they had a picnic in the rain!

Arlington Square – 4 September

The Arlington Association organised their first Community Fete
this summer and a great success it was, too! Local residents and
park visitors gathered in Arlington square on a beautiful day to
take part in the fete. There were loads of prizes to be bagged at
the Tombola and at the raffle, including champagne, food
hampers and vouchers for meals at top restaurants. Various stalls
were selling plants, lemonade, cakes, books and all sorts of other
goodies. Children could keep themselves amused by having a go
at riding specially made passenger bikes.
All proceeds from the fete will be used to buy extra plants for
the park.

Halloween Special on Spooks - 31st October

The Greenspace Apprentice Community Rangers organised a
spooky Halloween event at Whittington Park.
A couple of hundred merry monsters turned out to join the fun
which included creepy crawly arts and crafts, juggling, dancing
and welly-throwing! One resident said: "It was excellent, a lovely
afternoon and we can't wait until next year already!"

21
Events

St Lukes Garden, EC1

Local volunteers from the newly-formed gardening group rolled their
sleeves up to help make a habitat pile from recycled logs.
As the wood rots down it will become home to all sorts of bugs
and invertebrates.
We hope this will result in an increase in the number of nests next
year, as birds who feed on insects find their new source of food.

Bulb planting in Barnsbury square

Monday 1 November marked the third of Barnsbury Square's bulb
planting sessions, this time featuring some very enthusiastic year 2
children from Thornhill Primary School. Twenty eight children
altogether came along on what was a lovely sunny afternoon, and
planted bulbs which will help fill the square with spring colour in
2011. They were helped by volunteers from the Friends of Barnsbury
Square Gardens, and the Greenspace community rangers.

Fortune Street - 6 November

Volunteers from the Friends of Fortune Street pitch in to tackle
those Autumn gardening jobs. A new spring bedding of
wallflowers and primroses was planted around the Community
garden and the vegetable plots were given a general tidy up. On
the other side of the park volunteers dug in a log stack to provide
a home for bugs and creepy crawlies.

22
Events

Green Flag for Paradise Park

The flag is held by Sarah Ghansi from Paradise Park Childrens
Centre, with Ghislane Seddiki and Gabriella Pricop, two mothers
who use the Childrens Centre. Young Ameen and twins Edward
and Lucas cannot see why all this fuss is being made about a flag
- they just want to play in the park in the sunshine.

St Lukes
Councillor Gallagher joined local residents to plant woodland
bulbs at St. Lukes on Saturday. Community Ranger Chris Ingram
said:
“ The group are planting bulbs that are often found in woodlands
such as anemones, English bluebells and crocus. As the park is
very shaded by the large plane trees, the woodland theme
seems the right way to go and there will be a nice splash of
colour in Spring.”
The Friends of St. Lukes group was formed last year. With
enthusiastic support the group have completed lots of gardening
task days and more projects are planned for 2011.

Events wanted! Friend

Do you have an event taking

place in your area with a
greenspace theme? If so,
we want to hear from you.

Call us on 020 7527 8839 or

email laura.sanna@islington.gov.uk

23
Making Islington bloom - In Bloom winners announced

Huge congratulations to everyone who contributed to Islington, London and Britain in

Bloom this year.
Residents and stakeholders of all ages - and from all areas - worked together to ensure that the borough’s
reputation as an ‘In Bloom’ champion was secured for a further year. The level of commitment and effort was
outstanding and this is reflected in the results, as follows:

Islington in Bloom:

School Poster Competition (Islington in Bloom 2011 Poster Design)

Under 5 - Nylah Rosario James’ Laycock School
Age 6-8 - Liam Paiva, Gillespie Primary School
Age 9-12 & Overall Winner - Josie Tindale, Gillespie Primary School

Best Children’s Planting, Under 5s

1st place – Montem Primary School - Silver Gilt
2nd place – Pooles Park Primary School - Silver
3rd place – St Joseph’s Primary School - Silver

Best Children’s Planting, Over 5s

1st place – St Joseph’s RC Primary School - Gold
2nd place - Toffee Park Adventure Playground - Gold (winner of the Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)
3rd place – Pooles Park Primary School Gold - (winner of CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)

Best Blooming Pub, Bar or Restaurant

1st place – The Sekforde Arms (Christine Sheehy) - Gold
2nd place – The Hemingford Arms (Una Fogarty) - Gold (winner Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)
3rd place – The Old Fountain (Jim Durrant) - Silver
The Driver won the CJS Sustainable Gardening Award

Best Blooming Business

1st place – Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects - Gold (winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)
2nd place – Enlighten Next - Silver Gilt
3rd place – Get More Local - Silver (winner CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)

24
In Bloom Winners (continued):
Best Community Garden
1st place – Culpeper Community Garden - Gold
2nd place – King Henry’s Walk Garden - Gold
3rd place – Ringcross Community Centre - Silver
Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award to Sunnyside Community Garden - Bronze
CJS Sustainable Gardening Award went to The Stuart Low Trust - Bronze

Best Residential Communal Garden

1st place – Halton Mansions (Clare Norwood) - Silver Gilt
2nd place – Tufnell Park Road (Barbara Ludlow) - Silver Gilt
(winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award and CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
3rd place – Chequer Street (Vicky Cunningham) - Silver Gilt

Best Allotment Plot

1st place – Plot 32, King Henry’s Walk Garden (Caroline Hickey) - Silver
2nd place – Plot 12, Quill Street (Dee Xanthos) - Silver Gilt (CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
3rd place – Plot 69, St Luke’s Centre (Steph Claxton) - Silver
(winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)

Best Forgotten Corner

1st place – Elia Street (Andy Froame) - Gold
(winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award and CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
2nd place – Hamilton Park West (Carol Ann Fisher) - Silver Gilt
3rd place – Canonbury Court (Charles David Dodd) - Silver Gilt

25
In Bloom Winners (continued):

Best Tree Pit

1st place – Julie Davies, Ockendon Road - Silver Gilt
2nd place – Lizzie Boyle, Rickthorne Road - Silver Gilt
3rd place – Nancy Rohde, Melgund Road - Silver Gilt

Best Street or Part of Street

1st place – Ockendon Road (Tony Cambell) - Gold
2nd place – Ambler, Plimsoll and Prah Roads (Pearl Stanley, Naomi Schillinger, Sam Calver,
Nicola Baird) - Silver Gilt (winners of CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
3rd place – Rees Street (Gordon McArthur) - Silver Gilt
(winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)

Best Container Garden

1st place – Kinefold House (Satar Mujib) - Gold
2nd place – Elia Street (Ian Knowles) - Gold (winner of CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
3rd place – Andover Road (Susan Triggs) - Gold (winner of Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award)

Best Front Garden

1st place – Victor Cazelet House (Philip Wrigley and Jack Summerside) - Gold
(winners of CJS Sustainable Gardening Award)
2nd place – Southgate Road (Lawrence Davis) - Silver Gilt
3rd place – Malvern Terrace (Jill Leman) - Silver Gilt
Pattenden Wildlife Friendliness Award to St Mary’s Grove (Marcus Richter) - Silver

Best HfI Entry

1st place – Elia Street (Ian Knowles)
2nd place – Playdell Estate (Jean Grout and Peter May)
3rd place – Harold Laski House (Peter Ellis)

26
London in Bloom:

RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Award

King Henry's Walk Garden - Level 5 - Outstanding
Thornhill Bridge Community Gardeners - Level 4 - Thriving
Toffee Park - Level 3 - Developing
Whitecross - Level 2 - Improving

Other
Urban Community - Newington Green - Silver Gilt
Town Centre under 1 sq. km. - Angel Town Centre, - Silver-Gilt & Category Winner
The London in Bloom Community Garden Award - King Henry's Walk Garden - First Place
The London in Bloom Conservation Award - Gillespie Park - Third Place
London Borough of Islington - Gold

Britain in Bloom:

London Borough of Islington - Silver Gilt

London Borough of Islington was also nominated for Community Involvement.

27
www.islington.gov.uk

Josie Tindale, Gillespie Primary School. Overall winner, Britain in Bloom

schools competition (Category: 9 to 12 years)

If you would like GreenspaceLife in large print, audiotape, or another

format, please call 020 7527 1784.
Contact Islington
222 Upper Street, London N1 1XR
E contact@islington.gov.uk
T 020 7527 2000
F 020 7527 5001 Tell us what you think of
Minicom 020 7527 1900 GreenspaceLife – contact us on
W www.islington.gov.uk
Greenspace@islington.gov.uk
Published December 2010

The Greenspace team would like to wish a very happy New Year to all our readers.
28