From left below Richard Blackwell (BHAS Chair), Cllr Zoe McLeod, Moira Thomson – with spade (BHAS Secretary and prime mover of the Garden development), Harry Page (East Sheen Primary School, Head), Cllr Julia Cambridge, Cllr Margaret Dane, Arlene Coutts (Director FiSH), Tim Catchpole (Chair, Mortlake with East Sheen Society).

ESPS and FiSH will be major beneficiaries of the Community Garden.

Julia digs in.

With Allotment Holder John Evans

And with Harry Page ESPS Head

The Water Feature

There was great interest in the bees brought along by Gill and Simon Silvester. The Queen Bee has the green spot painted on by Simon to identify her. They do not recommend keeping beehives at allotments!

Cllr Cambridge performed the formal opening of the Community Garden. She said:

Like you, I recognise that when people and communities join together for the benefit of others, magic happens.  And it has happened here, because today we’re celebrating this magical community garden – one which will be a lasting space to commit to mindfulness; the kind that comes from being in nature and involved in nature. And grows community resilience; the kind that comes from collaboration with others.

Now when I think back to last year when Richard walked us around explaining the project I was reminded of conservationist Jane Goodall’s words ‘What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make’.

The plan was clear here, to engage with old and young. To capture groups from East Sheen Primary to Fish meet ups and many in between. This space really will become the essence of community.

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In conclusion, well done and thank you Richard, the Barnes Horticultural and Allotments Society and all the worthy contributors, experts and construction partners. You have created something to be proud of and in turn have brought civic pride to East Sheen. It is my pleasure to declare the East Sheen Allotment Community Garden OPEN.