What’s Happening
Revival of South Park’s Heritage Market Garden
The revival of the Heritage Market Garden in South Park started when a group of local volunteers came together in August 2020. We spoke to local resident Fiona Tricarico about the group and their plans to restore this garden oasis in the North West corner of the park where internationally renowned Veitch glasshouses stood in 18/1900's. “Since last year we’ve been gathering in numbers and our community has been developing. The garden provides different things for different people, an opportunity to learn how to garden or simply a place where people can sit quietly and enjoy nature. The Heritage Market Garden has become a garden for those who don’t have any outdoor space something that has become even more needed in recent times. Toddlers enjoy exploring and children who visit us on Wednesdays especially enjoy the bee hives and wormery. We need more help from weed pulling in the rose garden to tackling the ivy and volunteers can help in any way they wish or just stop by for a social catch up”.
Funds are also needed to support the restoration project and The Friends of South Park Community Gardening Group have set up a crowdfunding campaign withe the aim of raising £7,062 and they have also pitched to several charitable funds. Fiona told us “the garden shed isn’t fit for purpose and we need a new one to not only provide shelter if it rains but as a place to store our equipment, tools and would like to also use the space as a potting shed”. Funds raised will be put towards, amongst other things, soil, compost, bulbs, seeds, a new bench and wood to repair the raised beds that are in disrepair. There are plans for community events to invite all ages to experience the joys of a working market garden from planting to harvesting, to educate a younger generation about food from growing vegetables & fruits from a seed, planting bulbs, digging in the earth and learning about ecology, composting and discovering bugs.
If you’d like to volunteer email The Friends of South Park fulham.southpark@gmail.com or visit the garden on Wednesday (1 - 4 pm) or Sunday (10 - 12.20pm) to meet Fiona and the rest of the team who will gladly tell you more, answer any questions and help you sign up. If you’d like to contribute to the fundraising campaign head to the link below where you can make a donation.
Open Art Spaces: 9 - 10 October
Open Art Spaces was founded in 2013 and after pausing for a few years to restructure and reenergise they’re back this autumn with a celebration of art in West London. Whether created in living rooms, studios, attics, classrooms or garages, with no need for gallery representation, this event provides an opportunity for local artists to open their doors and welcome the public to view, buy and share paintings, ceramics, prints, textiles, sculpture, photographs, jewellery and mixed media. New Director, Emma Murphy got in touch with Urban Village LDN to tell us more so we could help spread the word to local artists and arts organisations within the Fulham community.
Growing each year with new talent, variation in artworks and in the number of people involved Emma, a resident of Earls Court and an artist herself, wants to continue the great work from past years and is looking forward to “giving Open Art Spaces a fresh start in this important time where creativity and community needs to be celebrated more than ever”. Emma told us that Open Art Spaces will celebrate and showcase creativity within the Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham community giving local artists, art organisations, community groups, galleries and colleges the opportunity to take part. “We are excited to be reviving and rejuvenating Open Art Spaces this year. In the past this event has been run as an open studio event but in 2021 we are introducing more community groups, workshops and creating a celebration of Art in all ways for everyone. No matter your experience, ability, age there is a place for everyone to get involved”.
Open Art Spaces will encourage visitors to explore, meet artistic residents, discover local talent and buy directly from the artist. There will also be a group show and a timetable of creative events in each area. If you’re an artist, designer or dedicated crafts person looking for an easy and affordable way to exhibit your work and expand your network or you simply want to be a part of their creative community applications to take part in the event, which is planned to take place over the weekend of October 9 - 10 2021, are now open.
Happy 2nd Anniversary Bridge Baker
Bridge Baker are celebrating their 2nd anniversary on 12 of June serving special free pastries, hosting fun activities for children and giving out balloons during the day (10 - 3pm). There will also be live music and free pizza tasting in the evening so pop along, say hello pick up what will no doubt be a delicious pastry or sample some of their pizza and wish them, Gauri and the whole Bridge Baker team a Happy Anniversary.