Dear Friends,
It has been seven months since we were able to meet in person and, given the current restriction, it maybe another six before we will be allowed to do so again. The lively discussions we used to enjoy would be hard to sustain through Zoom screens. Therefore, we thought it would be nice to circulate a newsletter letting you know what has been happening in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
In October we marvelled at the skilful planting of 200,700 bulbs by Job of Holland while, at the same time, being descended upon by 1000 Extinction Rebellion protesters camping in the Park. Bulb Valley rewarded our efforts with a spectacular flowering starting in early March and continuing until May of this year. Many people commented on the delight such explosive spring-flowering afforded them. Well done Jeremy for organising this project and following it through (and thanks to Lambeth for funding it)!
Last year we commissioned DSDHA to provide a solution to the unsightly junction at the entrance of the Park by Muscovy House, and at our last meeting, in March they presented some proposals to the committee. Lambeth had earmarked 100K for the Park which we were hoping could be spent on this project. However, their priority is now focused on the need to resolve the flooding of the footpath from Auckland Street to Vauxhall Walk.
There is the prospect of some additional 106 funds becoming available. If that is the case, the entrance improvements could become a reality and will be executed as the next phase of the new Masterplan.
Another addition to the Park is the Mayor of London funded water fountain. Thames Water installed it by the Hugo Bugg garden and, due to Covid, will not be made operational before next year.
I am glad to be able to report that, in the middle of 2019, the large Coriander advertisement on the wall behind the Arena, which was intruding an unwelcome commercial note into the natural harmony of the gardens, was taken down. At the end of the year, the razor-wire which had been hanging over the gardens from the top of the wall was removed, together with its brackets, thus putting an end to an unsightly blemish reminiscent of a war zone.
By any measure, this has been an exceptional year with urban parks proving themselves a lifeline for those who have no other access to nature. At the start of lockdown parks were a place of quiet solitude. Soon they became the sites where people could still congregate.
During late spring and summer, the Pleasure Gardens were crowded by families seeking serenity and relaxation. Celebrations, small events, sports, all were held in parks. As wonderful as this was, the grass in the VPG took quite a hit, especially from daily volleyball matches, just as it was starting to recover from the Extinction Rebellion encampment. This will be rectified next spring when Lambeth will temporarily fence-off all areas and reseed.
With a reduction of income, Lambeth's finances are more stretched than ever. Once again, the Friends stepped up to pay for watering and weeding by the Kennington Lane entrance, the Cherry Walk and Swale Garden during the very hot summer. Since maintenance cost are starting to add up, this coming year it is crucial that we organise some guerrilla gardening events. This will not only save us money but will also allow us to enjoy each other's company outdoors since we can't yet meet indoors. I hope you will all join in the effort to keep our Park in great shape and retain the Green Flag Award soon to be installed by the entrance!