History

SIDCUP COMMUNITY GARDEN A JOY FOR

LOCAL RESIDENTS

Sidcup Community Garden at Sidcup Place was the brainchild in 2016 of Rob Leitch. The beautiful rose garden of his childhood had become a place of sad shrubs and he resolved with the consent of Bexley Council to set up a community group which has now created a place of beauty.

The Group worked out a plan of campaign to re-design the garden. While many volunteers provided plants and shrubs, the Group set about to find people and businesses who would sponsor individual beds to provide funds for planting. Gradually the new garden took shape. The existing planting was dug up. A huge amount of weeds had to be dealt with. Fears that one area was affected by Japanese Knotweed were unfounded. Members of the Group worked extremely hard (and continue to do so) to eradicate the bindweed, oxalis and many other weeds which had taken hold. Gradually the garden of six years ago has been completely replanted.

The group meets twice monthly from spring to late autumn and monthly at other times, with additional work from others from time to time. The garden has become a joy for local residents to appreciate, which they clearly do. Moreover, the Garden is a place where volunteers enjoy both working and each other’s company. Many have great gardening knowledge and experience, others have little, but they are keen to contribute too. No-one minds whether you are a skilled and knowledgeable gardener or a mere labourer! A small but dedicated Committee works hard to make the garden sustainable.

With money raised from a supermarket “Bags for Life Scheme” the group had a circular bench installed around an existing tree in the centre of the garden - an attractive feature which encourages visitors to admire the garden and talk to one another.

When lockdown came, there was concern that the garden might suffer. However, with the consent of the authorities, a small group continued to work informally to keep the garden going. They worked well isolated from one another, enjoyed themselves immensely in the glorious weather and saw many local residents, walking round the garden and having socially distanced chats!

The success of the garden has been recognised by awards from London in Bloom, Ruxley Manor, Kent Life and others.

What I suspect means more to those involved is the pleasure they get from working there and the pleasure it gives to others.