The St Margaret’s Road Triangle Garden: Community in Action

Local people have organised to regenerate a small, triangular traffic island on the corner of St Margaret’s Road and Adelaide Avenue, having first gained permission and support from Lewisham Council and Glendales. The aim is for volunteers living locally to the ‘Triangle’ to add a range of plants that will look attractive to local residents & passers-by as well as to the birds and bees.

The first step in 2018 was the removal of the existing old shrubbery and addition of  soil improver to provide a ‘clean canvas’ for volunteers to plant their choice of plants and colours. Some Christmas roses and small spruces were immediately added only to mysteriously disappear over the next month. Since then, the volunteers  have developed a more cautious strategy of planting smaller shrubs and plants,  as well as donated bulbs and species from local gardens, like primroses, geraniums. This has meant a slower visual impact than first intended, but there is optimism for the coming year. There is a sign on the Triangle tree telling everyone that the garden is community led, and all plants are either donated or paid for by fundraising.

Last September’s table sale raised an amazing £280 and this will be used throughout the coming year.  The aim is to get some lavender and roses planted, plus whatever else looks like a good bet for this tricky site. We have seen some worms recently which is reassuring.

Volunteers have been heartened by the many positive comments and connections made with passers-by during planting sessions. People living in St Margaret’s/Montague/Tressilian/Comerford Roads, & Adelaide Avenue have given help and support. One passer-by spontaneously joined to weed straight after work! Another arrived with a bundle of geranium roots. During the 8-week drought last summer we had watering gangs in the twilight hours trying to keep the plants alive. Some volunteers do not have access to a garden so this is an opportunity to have a dabble. Also, experience is not essential.

Those interested in helping with gardening activities and fundraising, or donating plants/bulbs, can email: triangleSE4@gmail.com