Picnic benches

Friday 3rd June: Friends of Mayow Park took delivery of picnic benches, generously donated by Mastercard. These benches formed part of a 90 metre long picnic bench erected on 25th May near City Hall in support of the Big Lunch. The 90 metre bench was built by CJ Benches. It was later dismantled and distributed to the London boroughs in time to be set up in parks for the Big Lunch on 5th June. One picnic bench was installed at Grow Mayow and the rest in the picnic area adjacent to the children's playground on the western side of the park. Photos to follow!

Thursday 2nd June: Green Flag judges came to look at Mayow Park.
*Although the paths are in a bad way at the moment, work will start soon to resurface one section near the children's playground.
*Glendale teams have been working hard to complete the older children's playspace and some of the equipment in now available for use. There is even a small woodland walk going behind the yew tree into the wooded area.
*The grass in the cricket square is looking better after being watered thoroughly with a very long hose. Today, 4 days later,  the much needed rain has arrived, so the grass will get a good soaking and we should be able to see the difference with a few days.

Today at the Triangle

A lot of weeding today round the bigger bed means that the fruit bushes are more visible and the weeds don't try to compete with them.The pansies look very pleased to be on show again.  The grass at the edges  round the smaller bed was trimmed very expertly by Mike.   More herbs were planted. Much discussion on how to fill this large space. Another working party is planned for the end of the week, to put in more shrubs and bedding plants. Thank you to all who joined in today.

NEXT TRIANGLE WORKDAY 28 MAY

The next weeding and watering workday at Pavilion Triangle (near the entrance opposite Burghill Road) will be Saturday 28th May 2011.
Do join us, even for 1/2 hour, from 11am to 2pm. If you have gardening tools, please bring along some for hoeing and digging. We may also do some more planting.
Volunteers have been watering the plot because of lack of rain and some more plants have been added to the smaller bed. For more information please email friendsofmayowpark@ymail.com See you there.

Next Pavilion Triangle workday in Mayow Park

There were two successful workdays at the Pavilion Triangle Garden in Mayow Park during April. Nature's Gym volunteers and park users worked together to create a woodland path, plant some fruit bushes and herbs, and make a seating area using logs. That was the start. There will be regular workdays to continue the good work.
Mayow Park users are invited to lend a hand at the next Pavilion Triangle workday on Saturday 30th April from 10am to 1pm.
 Tasks include the following: watering, weeding, seed sowing (edible plants), planting cuttings.
 Please bring tools, plants or seeds of edible plants if you have any. For example:
tools - watering can, trowel, hoe, spade or garden fork;
seeds - nasturtium, marigolds and sunflower (all edible flowers);
herbs -chives, curry plants, sage, lavender, rosemary, and other herbs used for culinary purposes.
For further information, email friendsofmayowpark@ymail.com or call 020 8244 4259.

Pictures from workday 1 with Nature's Gym

Team creates new community garden in Mayow Park

Thursday 7^th April 2011, a warm and sunny day, and over 30 people came to work  on the Pavilion Triangle, a new public space within Mayow Park where there were previously rose bushes and a grassy area.

Teamwork has been a key feature of the project, from initial proposal to this latest phase.

Our thanks go to the volunteers from Nature’s Gym, Grow Mayow and Friends of Mayow Park, to Glendale, Greenscene and tree surgeons. Next Thursday 14^th April we will plant fruit bushes and herbs.

How did it all start? Back in October 2010, at the 2-day Introduction to Permaculture Design course at Grow Mayow, a practical task was given to participants to design a space for park users with edible plants. The area is now called Pavilion Triangle.

After the course, Suriya and Ruth took on the challenge and drew fresh designs based on Permaculture principles, which were presented to Glendale Officers (who manage the park) and Lewisham Council’s GreenScene officers. One design was then revised further.

This design was discussed at the FOMP meeting in early March and unanimously approved. Nature’s Gym co-ordinators Jess and Lara offered 2 workdays in April with Nature’s Gym volunteers to get the project started. Grow Mayow volunteers arranged with tree surgeons to provide logs and woodchip.

The Pavilion Triangle is now registered as a Capital Growth Community Garden and FOMP was successful in applying for a grant to buy plants, timber and compost. So many people contributed time and energy to the project.

Photos of the day to follow.