UPDATES FROM THE PAPER GARDEN
As we edge closer towards spring I have found myself reflecting on the year before in the Paper Garden, where we saw more time spent among the plants than people. We have built so many new growing beds that I have lost count, and seen an influx of birds and smaller crawling creatures to the habitat we are creating. There have been new faces visiting too, some have called to say hi through the Printworks fence, and others have come inside to help with the gardening, get warm by the fire, and meet the 2 new chickens who are on a holiday from Albion Primary School.
We finished our Generator programme of 2020 with a fire and wreath making celebration in the depths of December. The group of 10-18 year olds constantly inspired me with their energy and courage in facing the challenges of the year. Their Migration and Black History Month inspired recipe book won RJ4All International Institute's FRED Youth Award in the 2020 Community Category.
Myself and Kathryn spent the winter recruiting for our new Generator Programme, which has now begun online. We are overwhelmed by the positive responses from local young people who have signed up to the programme and are inspired to create local change towards the justice of people and the planet. As we move through exploring “I, We and the Planet” the young people will get involved in social action projects within their local community, each bringing their own creativity and imagination to the garden and Canada Water. Their projects will be possible thanks to funding from The Ernest Cook Trust, a national educational charity who have been match funded by the Co-op #iwill campaign, towards the employment of two “Green Mentors” across the Story and Paper Garden. If you are interested in joining the Generators efforts please visit this page for more information.
The food we have grown has been delivered every week to local families via Albion and Time and Talents Food Hub. As we move into the new growing season we have chosen seeds that will grow into useful plants for the families, and ones that have stories to tell, that can conjure memories of home, and create new impressions of the natural world. Currently in the Paper Garden, we are preparing 100 more seed sowing kits to go to local people for spring.
Before February half term we saw the lighting of the first fire in Albion School Forest Garden. The children roasted bananas and chocolate, keeping warm in the snow. Martin has been busy growing food and flowers with the children in Redriff Primary School. The gardens have grown a lot, and we have plans to expand the bug hotels and plant many new trees we are receiving from the Woodland Trust in April. There are constantly magical moments when children overcome the fear of touching the soil, the fear of feeding the chickens, or of the fire, and this fear is replaced with their curiosity and learning.
In 2021 the Paper Garden is on the move. We will have space for community beds, and ponds, and 150 Beuys Oak acorn trees (in pots). There is space to create a new place of sanctuary with local people. We have begun designing the garden with local primary children via online workshops and found that the ponds and chickens simply must have a large space in the new garden.
The Generators are also inputting into the new build, and after a garden mediation Maria wrote these words:
“I would like to feel incredibly at peace and happy in the new Paper Garden. I always leave feeling a sense of energy well spent and that my time has been worth something. I hope that the new Paper Garden will do the same in making a difference to our community. Often we feel trapped in this urban sprawl and feel that this is the only way to live. I hope the new garden shows us more.”
— Maria, 19 years old
The Paper Garden projects would not have been possible without funding from British Land, London Community Response, The Greater London Authority and The National Lottery Awards for All. In the coming year we are excited to be receiving funds from Ernest Cook Trust as well as Southwark Council’s Common Purpose towards our youth programmes. The support of these organisations means that we can further meet the needs of young people and families who are navigating these uncertain times.
Notes from the Garden
I wake to a bright crisp winter’s day. Finally … after weeks of storms ravaging the country.
As the year ends we are reminded of the magic and beauty that our gardens bring, as places to come together and celebrate, even in difficult times. This year it has been challenging not to be taken over by fear and despair, with extreme weather events being mirrored in different ways across the world, from floods to droughts; with the most recent political events; with wars destroying land and displacing entire populations; and with the constant increase in the cost of living creating ever more inequalities between those that have and those that do not.