Islington Bloom and green spaces in the borough of Islington
Islington’s annual horticultural competition, Islington in Bloom, is now open and taking applications until the 3rd of June 2018: https://www.islington.gov.uk/sports-parks-and-trees/parks-and-green-space/in-bloom. Each entrant will receive a free bag of compost and winners will get £50-£100 vouchers from Camden Garden Centre.
As green spaces in London are becoming smaller and smaller, competitions like this as well as London in Bloom are more than welcome initiatives. Categories include best front garden, best street, best tree pit, best forgotten corner, best retail street and more.
Although the competition is about horticulture, Joy Chamberlain, Representative of Islington Gardeners, also sees it as “instilling a sense of community.”
Last year’s winners included a tree pit filled with an assortment of colours and elephant shaped hedges.
How did Islington Bloom begin? “The idea generated countrywide, Islington decided to run with it in 2001. Islington Gardeners got involved because of the health benefits of gardeners,” Chamberlain said.
“In the 90’s in New York woman decided she wanted to do something about Central Park as no one wanted to go there, it had become a wasteland. She found a small area to cultivate. Due to the feel good factor the idea of ‘in bloom’ came about.”
Many see the importance of preserving and cultivating the green areas in the borough. This is especially important as only 13% of the borough’s land is green space, which is the second lowest proportion of any local authority in the UK, according to the State of Equalities Report 2011-12 London Borough of Islington.
“People still need to be in open spaces, for reasons such as mental health, and education,” said Liz McAllister, manager of Freightliners Farm, one of the few city farms in the country.
Green spaces are “important to have different things for children to see. It is a good way of engaging children and young people”, McAllister said.
“Everyone in Islington treasures their little green space,” added Chamberlain.
In a built up city such as London it may appear difficult to find some green space but there are quite a few hidden gems. Here’s a few from the Islington borough alone:
- Freightliners City Farm
A charity organization, which is free of charge, with donations welcomed. There are goats, sheep, rabbits and even a bee house amongst many other farmyard friends. At the back of the farm is a beautiful garden.
- St Mary’s Church Gardens
Location: London N1 2TX
- Highbury Fields
Equipped with children’s playground, bandstand, cafe and sports facilities this green space is the ideal place to hang out with friends and family.
There are many more parks and green spaces in the borough of Islington for further information click here:
Enjoy gardening? Why not get involved apply by picking up an application form from Islington Customer Service or simply complete an application online:
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