This week we were given permission to return to tend our Society
allotment plot at the new Queen Elizabeth Crossrail rooftop garden at Canary
Wharf. Since lock-down we have not been allowed to work the allotment and today
we have to observe some new clothing requirements and don our high visibility jackets
and thick gardening gloves. Everyone who works on the allotment must be
licenced to do so by the Canary Wharf Group.
The original idea of an allotment in these precious roof top
gardens was conceived by our ex Chair and now National Society Mentor, Paula
Owen. What made her think of it remains a mystery, but it was clearly a stroke
of genius and a tribute to her gardening passion. Last year our allotments were
given the space by our sponsors Canary Wharf Group and we set about
transforming the plot into a diverse and all year-round plot. The gardens
themselves won an award in 2019 under the Blooming Britain contest and our plot,
be it small, is now firmly part of the gardens.
Our Vice Chair Tatiana drove Paula’s vision into reality and
established the gardens with the help of a team of volunteers, some members and
some from our waiting list, and created a plot to be proud of.
The initial planting
was attended by Jeff Barber, our London Chair and National Regional
Representative, and the volunteers have included the children from our school
plot.
The plot is maintained on a regular basis and under Tatiana’s
supervision and aims to demonstrate to all the many garden visitors and Canary
Wharf workers who take their breaks and relax there what can be grown in a
small space and the work of the local allotments on the Island.
Tatiana has a new community greenhouse back at the
allotments which is always overflowing with plants which are primarily for the
roof top allotment but also given to members via the plant swaps and giveaways
she organises.
Canary Wharf Group has been a great supporter of the
allotments and we also benefit from deliveries of used coffee granules from the
many cafes within the malls and bamboo canes cut from the exotic part of the gardens.
Today we turned up, tidied up removing the leggy spinach and
overgrown herbs and then set about planting out beans, chillies, tomatoes, a
cola plant and squash and admired the Cape gooseberries already setting their
fruit. All the produce we harvest from the allotment is given to a local
kitchen run for the community by the Mudchute Farm.
When I look at the plot, I am drawn not by the diversity of what
we are growning, the high-rise skyscraper location which is somewhat amazing,
but by the opportunity and example it sets. If every developer, not only of enormous
commercial and residential areas such as Canary Wharf but of smaller and
focused retail developments and residential estates, followed just a fraction
of the initiative we have established in Canary Wharf then we could really
start to transform gardens, parks, open space from look-but-don’t-touch heavily
managed often low maintenance environments into community engaging growing
areas which could make a huge difference to the quality of life for many and help
educate everyone about fresh produce and healthy eating.
My thanks to Canary Wharf Group and to our team for making
it happen.
