Hackney Wick Garden

Hackney Pearl Flower Planter

2010-11-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

A million thanks to everyone who turned out to help repair & replant the Hackney Pearl Planter in Wallis Road on Sunday!

This poor planter has been a bit unloved for a few months now - and had a very dry summer - but together - all these neighbours gave it a bit of a spruce-up.

We all know that the whole street scene is about to change enormously around these streets - but that doesn't mean that we should just leave this planter to disintegrate! The weirdest thing is we found someone locals passport buried under one of the dead flowers - how spooky was that?

Anyhow - thanks everyone! But please remember that anyone can help water & care for this planter - anytime they want. Next time you leave home - fill up an extra litre water bottle - and give the flowers a good soak as you leave for work.

Together - we'll all make the Wick a much lovelier place to walk through.

Seed Bomb Hackney Wick this Sunday 17 Nov

2010-11-04T01:35:00.000-07:00

Those of you who helped create the Sunflower Avenue (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2009/04/leabank-square-takes-part-in-hackney.html) last year will be pleased to know that we are doing a Wildflower Avenue this year as well.

In preparation for next spring - we are seed bombing a path all the way from Mabley Green Meadow (http://mableymeadow.blogspot.com/) - through Hackney Wick - to Viccie Park.

Besides just wanting to make our streets look lovlier - one of the other reasons is to have a beautiful path to follow either way - to the meadow & rock (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2008/08/mabley-green-boulder-by-john-frankland.html) - or to Viccie Park.

We have made all the seed bombs (http://leabanksquare.blogspot.com/2010/10/brilliant-open-day-for-purple-garden.html) - so all you have to do is turn up at the Mabley Green Rock on Sunday at 11am - and take a stroll with us along the route - and bomb Hackney Wick.

There will be a cuppa waiting for you in the Leabank Square Purple Garden at the end - and you can simply chill looking at the world drift by on the River Lea.

Greenway Planting Day - Friday 29 October 2010

2010-10-27T04:00:00.001-07:00

The Hackney Wick end of the Greenway has been completely changed in the last few years. Gone is the muddy, burned-out motor-bike, overgrown, lawless, ASBO populated path of old. Some may say that they loved it that way - but families, cyclists & some of Hackney Wicks longer term residents are happier as it is slowly becoming.

The whole area has been severely hard landscaped - and although a few landmarks like the Second European War Pillbox (http://hackneywick.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-this-pill-box.html) and some of the apple trees we planted years ago - are still there - but it's time to start replanting.

We tried some guerrilla planting a few weeks ago - but the whole area is infested with Olympic guards now - every time we pulled out a shovel - a pair of jackboots was soon on the scene.

Of course we will always continue to plant local & indigenous plants all over the Wick including the Greenway - but here's an opportunity to do some spying:

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are doing a voluntary planting day this Friday 29th along the Greenway. This is an ideal way to see what is being planted by them - so that we don't duplicate some of our efforts. Plus - you get a free lunch in the bargain from our good friends at the View Tube Cafe (http://www.theviewtube.co.uk/) into the bargain.

It's open for all - though the very short notice is somewhat suspicious - so please come along.

Meeting up at the View Tube Cafe at 10am for a quick chat & introduction. Planting then takes place between 10.30am & 1.00pm - with everything supplied by the ODA. Then your free lunch at 1.00pm - with the day closing at 2.00pm.

So please come on down and enjoy a bit of time with fellow Wickers - and you'll get to be part of the future landscape of Hackney Wick!

Free Crocus Bulbs!!

2010-09-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Evening Johnson yesterday illustrated the current 'Nature is in crisis as a third of animals and plants face extinction' story - with a pic of some crocuses. I'm not too sure that they fall into the one third category - but just in case - please get down to Trafalgar Square tomorrow at 11.00am.

The International Flower Bulb Centre, The Eden Project and Rotary International have clubbed together to give away thousands of Ruby Giant crocus bulbs in Trafalgar Square.

Even if these beauties are not under threat internationally - Hackney Wick has just 14 of them growing in Leabank Square - none anywhere else!! So - I URGE you to take your lunch break in Trafalgar Square tomorrow - and try & get as many as you can. Then go maaaaad all over the Wick!!

Check out http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/big-bulb-plant-at-trafalgar-square-article-10180.html for more details.

Go on - adopt a (free) bulb - Hackney Wick needs you!!

Seedlings for Mabley Green Meadow!

2010-05-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

The amazing Chris from the Mabley Green Meadow crew delivered loads of trays, seeds, pots, compost & enthusiasm to the Leabank Square Nursery over the weekend - and work is under way to seed stunning flowers!

He worked very hard getting this great grant from B&Q - and now the amazing Mabley Green Meadow is soon to look a whole heap colourful.

Chris - thank you for doing all this really hard work - you are truly one of Hackney Wick most community spirited residents!!

Best Looking Bus Stop in All London

2010-04-22T03:41:00.000-07:00

Is this the most beautiful bus stop in London or what?! Incredibly fragrant blossoms drizzle down on you while you wait.

Please check it out - about half-way down Berkshire Road - right opposite Leabank Square.

Mabley Green Meadow is So Beautiful!!

2010-04-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

A great day out was had by all yesterday - at Hackney Wick newest garden.

Thank you to Chris King for organising such a successful launch. And of course - thanks to everyone who turned up to help, weed, dig, clear, barrow - & plant the soon-to-be stunning wildflower meadow.

There is still quite a lot to do - so if anyone wants to still help out - please call Chris @ 07747 437 236. So whether its gardening, weeding, planting, donating - or even just caring - please get involved with your new local garden.

It's there for all of us to enjoy!

Mabley Green Meadow - Hackney Wick's Newest Garden

2010-04-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Please come down to the gap of land between the back of the Eastway Terraces & the A12 Flyover - to help plant up Hackney Wick newest community garden. Chris King is organising a group of local residents to get started - but could really do with many more. So - if you have a few spare hours free on Saturday 17th April - then please take a stroll down to the Mabley Green Meadow after 10.30am.

Remember - this is all of our wildflower meadow - you will enjoy it so much more - when you can walk around spotting flowers & trees you helped plant!!

Please read Chris's message - and then see if you can free up a few hours this coming Saturday - you will love it!!

"Hi everyone,

With funding secured, materials ordered and a morning with big tractor scheduled in by the council, the Mabley Green Meadow is full steam ahead.

But to get things really started, we'll need to do a short day of digging and sowing.

From the looks of things, the best day to do that would be Saturday 17 April from about 10.30am. So if you're free and keen to lend a hand, that'd be great.

The things we need to do are:
- Dig over the smaller parts of the site to loosen up the soil before sowing
- Make temporary fences to protect our seedlings (bamboo and string will do)
- Erect signage to tell people what we're up to
- Sow the seeds
- Have a cup of tea.

We have pretty much everything we need. But a couple of things still outstanding are a wheelbarrow and a rake. If you have access to either of those, please let me know. And if you have a big garden fork you could bring along, please do.

The more people we can get to help, the quicker and easier it'll be. So feel free to spread the word and invite anyone who might be interested.

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Cheers,
Chris
07747 437 236"

Update (15.04.10):

Hello all,

If you want to get stuck in and help turn part of Mabley Green into a colourful field of wildflowers, come down for some digging and seed sowing on Saturday from 11am onwards.

The key tasks for the day will be to:
- Dig over the ground to make it more seed-friendly. If you have a large garden fork, please bring it along.
- Sow the seeds. This is a bit trickier than it sounds, so we might leave that to our resident expert.
- Make temporary fences out of bamboo and string to protect our young seedlings.
- Erect a sign to tell everyone about what we're doing.
- Drink tea and have a chat.

Exciting news about the Growing Scheme!
Early on Saturday morning, we'll also be heading to B&Q to collect a truck load (literally) of free stuff to start our Community Growing Scheme. The scheme will be to grow woodland plants in pots, that will be transplanted into the shady parts of the site in autumn. So if you have a free window-sill or a spare corner of your garden for a pot or two, we'll set you up with everything you need. Also, if you know anyone else who might be keen, please do let them know: the more people growing plants, the bigger and better the meadow will be.

If you're reading this email and have no idea what's going on...
This summer, Mabley Green Users Group is transforming a section of the green into an urban wildflower meadow. The area we're using is the triangle of land between Eastway and the A12 flyover, which you can access via Lee Conservancy Road. On Saturday, we'll really get things started. So in a few months, we'll have a colourful field of flowers for both us and wildlife to enjoy.

Until now, I've only been sending updates about this to members of the Users Group who I've met at the previous two meetings. But since Martin sent out the last minutes, I now have all the members' email addresses, past and present. Which is why I've sent this to you now - sorry for not getting in touch earlier. So if you're around on Saturday, it'd be great to meet more members and get everyone involved. If not, I'll keep you posted about future events and volunteering days.

See you there!
Chris King
07747 437 236

Free Seeds From BBC Dig In 2010

2010-03-26T04:18:00.000-07:00

The amazing people at BBC have once again saved the summer for all of us by donating free veggie seeds directly to you!!

Remember - this is paid for by your licence fee - so please take advantage of it.

This year they are sending out free French Beans, scrumptious Salad, comely Carrots, curvy courgettes and beautiful aromatic Basil. Imagine all that on your dinner plate in a few short weeks?!

Come on Hackney Wick - even if you really don't have green fingers (& everyone does!) - then please order them anyway - and guerrilla garden you way around the neighbourhood. That ramp up to the station could do with some aromatic Basil, the wasteground below the A12 footbridge is crying out for beans growing all up the fence - you could even sneak the carrots into any public flower beds - and come back at midnight in July to lift them out for a feast!

Aaaaaaanyhow - here's the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/digin/ and happy digging in!!

Wick Woodland Management Day - Sunday 28

2010-02-27T04:40:00.000-08:00

Heaps of green volunteers are hosting a woodland management day around the corner at the Hackney Community Tree Nursery tomorrow.

Steve and Annie are great friends of Hackney Wick - and have donated many items for our gardens - so the least we can do is return the favour - and help out between 10.30am and 2pm tomorrow.

So if you are interested in this lovely way to spend a Sunday morning - please meet at the Tree Nursery in Hackney Marshes. Just turn off Homerton Road - into the car-park where we all get our compost. On the right hand side you'll see the nursery.

You will be amazed at what you can learn about coppicing, wood management, mushrooms, and of course - just how much more space is being taken away by the Olympic Juggernaut!

Please come on down.

‘A Great African Scandal’ a film by Dr Robert Beckford

2010-02-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

We are currently in the midst of the annual fairtrade fortnight where all the great people, groups, charities and foundation, get together to promote the many invaluable reasons why we should all buy as much fairtrade products as possible.

If you’d like to know more please check out

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/fairtrade_fortnight/

As a celebration of fair-trade fortnight, Hackney’s famous Arcola theatre has got together with the tower hamlets and hackney FT groups to present a free screening of ‘The Great African Scandal’. The film sees lecturer and broadcaster Dr Robert Beckford investigating Ghana’s economic poverty despite its natural wealth in minerals and stable democracy.

The film will be screened at

St Mark's Church Hall,
Colvestone Crescent, Dalston,
Hackney, E8 2NL (between Sandringham Road and Ridley Road)

Tuesday 2 March 2010

6.30pm -7.30pm

Film goers will be invited to stay and chat after the film screening and enjoy a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and a slice of cake.

For more information, please contact Rachel Carless, Arcola Theatre’s Sustainability Projects Manager, at rachel@arcolatheatre.com / 0207503 1645

2010-02-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

We've just had a brilliant invitation to help clean up the canal with British Waterways.

I know some of us have been invovled in these annual clean-ups before - but we need many more volunteers to help out this year. It is always a lovely fun-filled day - and we get to meet many more of our neighbours from up & down the canal!

Felicity McClintock from British Waterways says: Hackney’s event will cover the stretch from Leabridge Road (Princess of Wales Pub) through to the towpath opposite you on Saturday 13th March.

*********** Towpath Tidy London 1st to 14th March 2010 *****************

We are calling on volunteers to come and help us spring clean our waterways.

Volunteers are needed to put on their boots and take part in British Waterways’ Towpath Tidy 2010 – coordinated activity days which will take place along targeted stretches of the capital’s waterways between Monday 1st and Sunday 14th March 2010.

Everyone is welcome, with activities ranging from litter picking, planting, painting and graffiti cleaning, floating litter removal to cutting back towpath vegetation.

To find out how you can get involved and to register for one (or more) of the events, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Fishwick on

mob 07917 424590, email: karen.fishwick@britishwaterways.co.uk

or visit www.waterscape.com/towpathtidy

to visit all Towpath Tidy listings and locations in the country. You may also want to follow Towpath Tidy on Twitter and Facebook.

Eight London locations

Brent Reservoir (Monday 1st March)
Bishop’s Stortford, Stort Navigation (Monday 1st March)
Ealing (3 sites), Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm (various dates)
Hackney, River Lee Navigation (Saturday 13th March)
Kingsland Basin, Regent’s Canal (Saturday 13th March
Slough Arm, Grand Union Canal (Wednesday 3rd March)
St Pancras, Regent’s Canal (Saturday 6th March)
Stockley Park, Grand Union Mainline Canal (Thursday 18th March)

Please note numbers may be limited at some locations depending on works and facilities so it is important you let her know if you would like to join us.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Felicity McClintock
Water Quality & Environment – Project Coordinator
Lower Lee Valley Waterways

British Waterways London
1 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London W2 6TT
Mob: 07 500 226 139

www.waterscape.com

Come on Hackney Wick - let's get the other side of the canal all cleaned up as well!!

Paul's Canalside Sunflowers

2009-09-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Paul for all the sunflower seeds he planted along the Hackney Wick stretch of the Lea River Navigational Canal.

He has brightened up many a ramblers stroll and cyclists journey.

Please Hackney Wick - get inspired by this an start making seed bombs ready for the spring. If you have any spare bulbs - get planting right now!!

You too can make all our lives a whole lot more beautiful!!

Hackney Wick Guerilla Gardeners Strike Again!!

2009-09-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

With only a few short weeks to go to the Hackney Wick Festival 2009 - our VERY friendly Guerrilla Gardeners have delivered a stunning raised bed for us!

Thank you to everyone involved!!! You have really made this little corner of the Wick beautiful!!

Please - Hackney Wick - go for a lovely stroll over the weekend - and spend a few minutes on the new wide corner of Berkshire Road & Wallis Road. There's a fragrant bay tree surrounded by loads of busy lizzies & pansies!

Hackney Wick Guerrilla Gardeners - we all love you!!!

Sunflower Avenue Through Hackney Wick!!

2009-04-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

This summer - we would love to attempt an avenue of sunflowers all the way from the Hackney Wick Community Centre - in the Eastway - through to the footbridge at the end of Wallis Road.

Imaging a beautiful path of yellow all along Osborne, Berkshire & Wallis Roads right over into Viccie Park!?!

Some of the residents of Leabank Square - about half way - have already agreed to plant along the main Berkshire Road part of the avenue. Terry - the manager of the Hackney Wick Community Centre - has lovingly agreed to kick it all off at the Community Centre. And Tom & his lovely family at the Wallis Road end have fantastically agreed to plant some along the tall brick wall.

So - please everyone else!!! Grab a bag of seeds at Lidl, B&Q or the Pound Shop - and start planting all along this avenue! It will bring us all together in such a great path of happy yellow!!

Spring Onions 2009

2009-03-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

How's this for some excellent Guerrilla Gardening?!

Some fantastic gardener has planted about 100 sets of spring onions all along the Hackney Wick beginning of the Greenway - just before the Hackney Wick Pill Box Bunker.

Thank you very much for adding such delicious flavour to our picnic on our monthly trip to see how far the Olympic Stadium has come along. These are the milder flavoured spring onions - so the kids tucked in with as much relish as us adults!

Come on Hackney Wick - let's start planting much more food all over The Wick!!

Leabank Square Gardeners Club

2008-05-13T12:36:00.002-07:00

For those of you who don't know - Leabank Square is right in the heart of Hackney Wick. As it's name suggests - it is on the bank of the Lea River. It has 7 blocks - all looking out over a central green.

Due to a lack of management (but a lot of service charge!) the square has looked severely neglected for years now. So a bunch of kids wanted to start doing things to make Leabank Square a better place to live in.

So they started the club.

In these pics are just some of the things that the Leabank Square Gardeners Club have been up to.

They just do NOT stop working!!

They are such an inspiration to the rest of us in Hackney Wick to start planting & tidying up our own neighbourhood!!

More Green - Less Blue!!

2008-05-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

In our feeble attempt to bring a bit of green back to your stroll, cycle, cruise, jog or even joy ride past the Large Blue Olympic Wall - we have planted a few more trees & bushes along it.

Taking advantage of this stunning weather - a bunch of us dug, weeded & planted the new additions. But as we are very skint - the offerings are very young & immature. If any of the above mentioned (possibly not the joy riders) are feeling a bit flush - please could you pop to B&Q or Columbia Road (http://www.columbia-flower-market.freewebspace.com/on a Sunday) & get something a bit more mature to plant.

Please simply plant it well & water thoroughly. Then grab any stick & stake it to them. This is more to stop the lawn mowers & strimmers from chopping it down. Oh.... and don't forget to take a few pics & send them to hackneywickgarden@yahoo.co.uk so that we can put them up on this blog.

The more we ordinary people take control of the public towpaths, unloved spaces, derelict buildings, unkempt sidewalks, unloved flower beds & unwelcoming ares - by planting - the better we are going to feel about our surroundings.

Go for it!!

We Love Hackney Council!

2008-05-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

I urge the rest of Hackney Wick to go & make a new friend in the new Travellers site in Wallis Road!!

The gardens they are creating inside their very small spaces are so very beautiful!! From small pot plants - to delicious veggies - to stunning floral arrangements!! And they are extremely happy to show us all around. Please go & greet our brand new neighbours!!

BUT - a massive round of thanks have to go to Hackney Council as well!

The landscaping of the surrounding gardens & sidewalks are coming along beautifully. As you come over the footbridge from Viccie Park into Hackney Wick is pretty soon going to be the greenest corner of the whole area!!

This evening - why not go for a stroll over in Viccie Park - stopping to check out the gardening going on. In a few short months - this corner of Hackney Wick is going to be the most welcoming part of our neighbourhood - friendly folks & lush & green plants & trees!! What more can you want?!

It's a pity about the opposite side of the road belonging to Tower Hamlets tho'.

The high (& dangerous) brick wall attempts to hide a heavy goods vehicle parking lot. Why can't we persuade Tower Hamlets Council to create a lovely little park on this land for all the residents, workers & visitors in this highly industrious part of Hackney Wick - to take a breather.

Imagine sitting on a park bench, having a bagel from Mr Bagels (http://www.mrbagels.com/) coffee from the Wick Cafe (check out what the amazing blogger londonist has to say about this lovely cafe http://londonist.com/2008/03/whats_for_lunch_43.php) a newspaper from Premier next door in Felstead Road - and green grass, trees & shrubs!!

Instead of a run down HGV parking lot!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaanyway. Thanks heaps to Hackney Council for all the amazing work you're doing for all of us. I love cycling along Wallis Road every day now & it will get even better when the plants all mature.

Plum tree

2008-05-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

As some of you know - we lost our Fig Tree under the Olympic Juggernaut Wheels - so here's one of the replacements......

A Plum Tree!!!

Where Has Spring Gone?

2008-04-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Can you believe all this cold weather?!

I've heard of April Showers - but even this has got to be extreme.

Anyway - it makes for good pictures though - so let's not grumble too much!

Last day of March

2008-03-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

These are some pics of the amazing people who spent their Monday afternoon helping make Leabank Square look absolutely beautiful!!

Many thanks to the gardeners - Amy, Cyprus (who worked so hard - even with a broken foot!), Denai (surely Hackney Wick's youngest gardener!), Sennur (who suggested Monday afternoons as a regular gardening event!), Safiri & Shanthi.

But equal thanks go out to everyone who came along to give encouragement. You see........

It really does work - if one person plants something - then 10 other people get enjoyment out of it!

Please - Hackney Wickers - lets get our whole hood as green & colourful as possible - that way when we go for an evening stroll or weekend cycle - we can admire one another's gardening skills!!

Colours

2008-03-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

The bulbs planted earlier this year in the garden of Leabank Square are starting to come up now.

Everyone who passes them does a double-take!!

The management company of Leabank Square has severely neglected the garden & some of the residents joined hackneywickgarden.blogspot.com in trying to do something about it!

Please remember that anyone can join us. All you gotta do is plant something in Hackney Wick - take a couple of pics - and submit them plus a few words to this blogsite.

As easy as that.

Officially spring!!

2008-03-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

The clocks sprung forward by an hour this morning - so it must officially be spring!

So some of us decided to plant a whole heap of new bulbs along the canal again.

300 to be precise!!

Of course - for those of us without a garden of our own - this is the next best thing - but guess what we all agreed was the absolute bestest thing ever?

The amount of cyclists, ramblers, working-off-lunchers, canoeists, even the odd (very) joy riding biker - ALL saying how nice the existing flowers are looking!!!!

For any sceptics out there - who are still not too sure about brightening Hackney Wick up with plants & trees - just chat to your neighbours & see how appreciative they are of what we're all doing!?

You'll be out there with a spade & fork before you know it.

sniff... fig.... sniff

2008-03-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

A massive condolence out to Joana, Katarina, Marta, Pena, Safiri & Shanthi - the amazing fig tree you planted Last year - seems to have been crushed under an Olympic Bulldozer!!

We managed to get a few pics over the blue wall - and there is a dirt track where it once stood!

Very sorry - but as soon as we can save up for a new one - we'll plant another THIS side of the wall!!

Re-Cycled Cherry Trees

2008-03-17T04:49:00.000-07:00

These cheery trees were planted in Leabank Square - just behind their re-cycling bins a few weeks ago - and already they're starting to bud & blossom!!!

Lets face it - some of hackney council's re-cycling bins look a bit boring - so some of us decided to bring a bit of shade & colour to them over the next few years!

If anyone else is interested in planting some fruit trees soon - we bought these from Lidl in Well Street (just before Mare Street) - and got them down on the bus the 5 stops back to Hackney Wick.

Lidl has a range of fruit trees (& loads of seeds & bulbs) - from different apple varieties, pears - & of course - these cherry trees. The trees all cost only £3.99 each!!!!

I promise I don't work for Lidl - but I swear they are one of the cheapest gardening shops around!!

Are there any more recycling bin areas around Hackney Wick that could do with some brightening up?

Fig tree!!!

2008-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

This was a fig tree we planted just before the big blue Olympics wall went up last summer.

As you can see - there was no shortage of volunteers helping to clear a suitable space, dig, plant & water.

As far as we know - it has not been bulldozed (like the Willow & Pine trees!) - and on the first really warm Spring day - we will attempt to take a pic over the wall with the aid of a self-timer on the end of a long tripod.

Watch this space........

Bulbs on Lea River Canal

2008-03-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

This was a lovely warm winters day - & we planted loads of bulbs all along the Lea River Navigational Canal here in Hackney Wick.

Please take a walk along this weekend & you'll see the flowers starting to come up giving us a bit of colour along the massive blue Olympic wall.

We'll add some more pics when more of them start flowering.

Oh yes........ also check out the 120 sunflowers (!) & summer meadow flowers this summer along the same towpath. We planted them a few days ago - so keep checking this blog for more pics - or better still - go for a nice long stroll along the river!!