Projects

The Sensory Garden

(see below for updates)

Introduction
The Sensory Garden project is by far the most ambitious project yet undertaken by the Friends. The Friends are interested not only in preserving the past but also in creating something new as a legacy for future generations of Garden users. The proposals involve the site behind the low picket fence, where the Community Greenhouse stood until it became so derelict that it had to be demolished.

Spurred on by the relocation of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) to Judd Street, a Friends committee member suggested that we draw up plans for a Sensory Garden. Ray Cheeseborough, then Friends Vice Chair, created a design which skillfully uses the corner setting and, by taking in the lawn down to the path, combines an accessible and calm sitting place where those with impaired sight or other disabilities can enjoy water (in the form of a bird bath), as well as the scents and forms of the planting. To view a film which includes information on the plans please click Video.

The first hurdle was to obtain ‘Faculty’ - permission from the church authorities to carry out the work. This was granted in 2005 after long negotiation. The site has been surveyed and an experienced landscape architect is engaged to act as project manager. Camden Council are supporters. So all we need now is some money.

An appeal was launched in 2006 which has already generated £8000 from various sources. This is an excellent start.

We will update you with the project as things move along. If you would like to talk about making a donation contact us by email on info@friendsofstgeorgesgardens.org.uk. All donations will be channeled through the King’s Cross-Brunswick Neighborhood Association, a registered charity (no 1083901).

Updates (most recent first)

(14.07.08)
On Saturday 7 June the sensory gardens were officially opened by Frank Dobson MP. Mr Dobson spoke of the benefits of a sensory garden to those who have lost one or more senses and praised the project for being carried out by the local community, for the benefit of the local community. Further pictures will be posted as soon as they are available.

(24.04.08)
Reporters from the Camden Gazette (www.camdengazette.co.uk) visited the gardens to report on the great help we have received from the volunteers from St Mungo's. Please click the image to read the full article.

(21.04.08)
The work continues! Following the great work of the group from the University of London Officers Training Corps, the gardens are taking shape. Thanks to the recent hard work of volunteers from St Mungo's and Friends of the Gardens, the ground is now cleared, planting has begun, and the gardens look set to be finished by June. Further pictures will be posted as the work continues. Plans are for an official opening by Frank Dobson MP as part of Open Garden Squares Weekend (7-8 June).

(31.12.07)
Following from the update below we can now inform you that we have also been awarded the following grants:
£1,500 - Stafford Charities
£1,500 - St Andrew's Holborn
£980 - Trustees of the Lady Neville Charity
£700 - Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. This is actually the second award the gardens have received from the MPGA. The first, of £100, was given in 1883! The MPGA Secretary, Joyce Bellamy, will be speaking at the Friends AGM on February 6. Please see the Events page for further details.

The Friends would like to express their thanks for all the support we have received.

(21.11.07)
Great news - this morning a letter arrived from Veolia Trust (www.veoliatrust.org) informing us that the project has been awarded a grant of £12,800! This makes it a lot easier to get things moving in the new year. More news to follow...

(27.10.07)
Work has begun!!
On the weekend 5-7 October, a group from the University of London Officers Training Corps worked at the Sensory Garden site. Supervised by WO2 (QMSI) Wiggins RE, the cadets cleared five skips worth of rubble and vegetation from the site. Skips were provided by Walter Lilly (contractors on Chandler House, Wakefield Street) and Glendale (Camden’s grounds maintenance contractors) lent wheelbarrows and other equipment.

The Friends of St George's Gardens and Camden Parks and Open Spaces would like to thank all those who made the weekend possible. Following several recent successful funding bids, it is hoped that the next stage of developing the Sensory Garden can begin in 2008. Please see the Gallery for more photos.

(11.09.07)
The Friends are currently awaiting responses from three outstanding grant applications ranging from the modest to the more ambitious. We are also pleased to report that a team from University College London Officer Training Corps have agreed to assist with the site clearance planned to start on the first weekend in October.

(18.02.07)
Recently the Friends have received a letter of support from Professor Jane Maxim of  UCL's Department of Human Communication at Chandler House (located just outside the Handel Street entrance to the gardens). The department works with people with severe communication difficulties, often as a result of  strokes or head injuries and Prof. Maxim tells us that 'staff and students can envisage a situation where the garden itself might become a focus for a therapy programme'. We are very pleased that the garden might prove beneficial to a new group of users. This would add a new aspect to the Sensory Garden and is relationship which we will develop further.