Metropolitan Public Gardens Association Annual Report and Accounts 2014

! THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION Letter from the President,

President Hugh Johnson OBE Mr Hugh Johnson OBE ondon was looking particularly for gladdening our eyes in hundreds of lovely last spring. We had the spots where inspired locals have taken Vice Presidents Lsunniest April ever, after a winter the initiative. The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury with no serious cold. Everyone who You see an opportunity? Get in touch, The Rt Rev and Rt Hon the Lord Bishop of could was going outside which meant with the MPGA and we’ll do our very The Viscount Davidson that green spaces were in higher best to help. And of course you can Sir David Howard Bt demand than ever - and all over the help us too - by becoming a member or The Master, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners capital the local gardens and squares giving a donation (hopefully gift-aided), Mr Wesley Kerr OBE and triangles and scraps of garden were however small. Mr Christopher Woodward full of people enjoying themselves. We were sad during the year to say Chatting or picnicking or reading a (a last) farewell to Michael Birkett, our Chairman Mr William B Fraser OBE book in the fresh air, surrounded by trees late President, who as a lm-maker, Hon Treasurer Mrs Marjorie Dowbiggin and owers, is now an essential part of at the National Theatre, and running Hon Secretary Mrs Helen Knight our city’s life. The MPGA is here to keep ‘parks and arts’ at the GLC in so many Hon Minutes Secretary Ms Nicola Freshwater it so, and to enhance it in every way we ways enhanced the London scene. He can. Think what joy the jolly colours of epitomized the goodwill and common Executive Committee tulips have brought to millions. This year cause for beauty that makes London Ms Rosie Atkins FL, Mrs Shirley Brihi, Mr Benedict Bull, Mr Patrick Hegarty, again we have Taylors Bulbs to thank the best of all cities. Mr Mark Lane LVO, Mr Rex Thornborough RD FCSI, Mrs Paula Tomlinson

Hon Legal Adviser Mr Vivian Robinson QC The London Spade Award 2014 Hon Independent Examiner Mr John Clark FCA he 2014 London Spade was presented Trustees Tto Anne Holman for her unstinting work Mr William B Fraser OBE, Mrs Marjorie Dowbiggin, Mr Rex Thornborough RD FCSI for London In Bloom as their Campaign Manager. She joined in 2003 when entries OBJECTS numbered just 29. Now the entries have The Objects of the Association are: grown to over 250 which Geoff Hyde, 1. The acquisition, protection, preservation and safeguarding of gardens, Chairman of London In Bloom, says is due disused burial grounds, churchyards and open spaces within the in large part to Anne’s devotion to the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London Corporation for use by the public. organisation. Anne manages the day-to- 2. The provision of grants for seats, plants and trees in public spaces. day operations of the campaign, liaises 3. The encouragement of public interest in the maintenance and cultivation of front with Britain in Bloom and the RHS together gardens, window boxes, estate gardens, allotments and other similar areas. with masterminding the London in Bloom Awards Ceremony. Anne Holman receiving the London Spade Edited by Helen Knight Designed by Emma Nisse The MPGA London Spade has been from Lord Davidson. awarded annually since 1970. Anne Website: www.mpga.org.uk Email: [email protected] was selected for the award for her great are most grateful to Bulldog Tools Ltd for Registered Charity Number: 303330 service to London’s open spaces. We donating the Spade for our award. 1 Annual General Meeting Chairman’s Report, William Fraser OBE he Association’s AGM was held he highlight of our year in 2014 for over 20 years and his very wise on Tuesday 7th October 2014 in has again been our association counsel and knowledge will be missed. T the magnicent surroundings of T with Taylors Bulbs. This year alone, Andrew has moved out of London and the Mansion House. The 80 plus guests, 200,000 bulbs were distributed to is no longer able to participate. We are including London Mayors, were voluntarily manned open spaces across very grateful to them both for their past welcomed by the Chairman and London through our “Bulbs for London” contribution and we wish them well in addressed by Nicholas Woolf, Lord campaign. As you will see later in this the future. Mayor’s Consort, who acknowledged Report we receive many photographs We have recently received the sad the outstanding efforts of the MPGA from grateful recipients showing just news of the deaths of Lord Birkett and over the past 132 years in restoring and what a great difference the bulbs have Michael Upward . They were both preserving London’s open spaces. made to so many open spaces. We wonderful supporters of MPGA and we The Chairman presented the Annual are very grateful to Taylors Bulbs for include a tribute to each of them in this Report and Accounts for 2013 which sponsoring this extremely valuable and Report. were approved. He paid tribute to Leo Wesley Kerr (left) and Stephen Crisp. much appreciated scheme. I am again very grateful to our Chapman, an MPGA member, who We have seen a substantial increase President, Vice Presidents and had fought a long campaign to open Spade to Anne Holman for her work in the number of grant applications. Committee Members for all their support Seward Street playground to the public over many years as Campaign Manager Wherever possible members of our and enthusiasm. The constant ow of and also gained funding from his local of London in Bloom. A presentation committee like to visit the sites applying grant applications demonstrates how Council for its refurbishment. followed by Roger Taylor, Director of for a grant. It is very heartening to see much our grants are both needed and Three new Vice Presidents were Taylors Bulbs of Holbeach, the MPGA’s the time and care so many volunteers appreciated. welcomed to the Association – Lord partner in Bulbs for London. Since the are putting in to maintaining and Davidson, Wesley Kerr and Christopher scheme was launched in 2012, over improving their local areas. Woodward. Several members retired from 500,000 bulbs have been distributed We are pleased to continue our the Executive Committee during the year throughout London to a wide variety of support for London in Bloom, Open – Janet Owen, David Sadler and Andrew open spaces. Garden Squares Weekend and Turvey – and the Chairman thanked them The family company of Taylors Bulbs, London Federation of City Farms and for their service. There were two new now in its fourth generation, was started Community Gardens and the full list of members to the Executive Committee, after the First World War by Roger’s grant recipients can be found later in this Paula Tomlinson and Benedict Bull. In grandfather, who became a pioneer Report. addition three new volunteers were of bulb growing in England. From small We are grateful to all our Members appointed: Nicola Freshwater as Minutes beginnings, Taylors now farm 1,885 and to our supporters who have made Secretary, Marc Owen who wrote the acres and supply nurseries and garden donations enabling us to assist so many rst of his blogs for our website and Hazel centres. They have won many accolades open spaces. Muncey who began work on the MPGA including 21 Chelsea gold medals and We are now reviewing our Constitution archive. The ofcers and Executive the Queen’s Royal Warrant, in 1985. to ensure it is up to date with current Committee stood for election and were With the formalities concluded, guests practice. re-elected en bloc. enjoyed convivial drinks and canapés in During the year David Sadler MBE Vice President, Lord Davidson, had the the ne surroundings of the Old Ballroom and Andrew Turvey resigned from our pleasure of awarding the MPGA London of the Mansion House. Executive Committee. David has served Marcus Garvey Park 2 3 MPGA Grants 2014

CHURCHYARDS, BURIAL GROUNDS green space in the London Borough Rain Garden in the garden’s central AND CHURCH GARDENS of , one of the most built-up owerbed, as this area had always St Mary’s Church in the London London boroughs. Freightliners contains been rather boggy, and one where it Borough of Haringey reopened the a farm with traditional and rare animals was proving difcult to grow anything Church of the Good Shepherd in 2010, and three kinds of gardens: ornamental, successfully. The rain garden, built by following seventy years of closure. wildlife friendly and productive. In 2015, volunteers, is now an integral part of the The MPGA was successfully the farm was awarded the prestigious garden. The story of its development approached by the Church to help Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service . from a bombsite to an attractive improve the look of the building through In 2013 a new Potager Garden was community garden is featured on the creating a small garden on the street created. This garden is an ornamental MPGA’s blog www.mpga.org.uk. in front of the church. The garden vegetable and herb garden and The Sherland Road Association is was deliberately designed to be low includes a mix of decorative, useful and keen to encourage other gardens with maintenance and the plants chosen fragrant plants. The following year, the the same problem and to assist have not only for their beauty but for their Potager Garden supplied the Farm’s uploaded on to their website their photo Sherland Road Rain Garden. suitability. Local volunteers maintain the café and local residents with fresh diary showing its construction. garden which are now enjoyed daily by varieties of herbs and vegetables. These HEALTH AND WELLBEING pedestrians. are also sold to provide a valuable Open Spaces Trust (BOST) The Drop-in Bereavement Centre in the income to enable the farm and gardens works with local people in the London London Borough of Newham is a small CITY FARMS to open to the public. Boroughs of and Lambeth not-for-prot community organisation Freightliners City Farm was created The garden has been so successful to develop parks and gardens in their providing specialist support for bereaved to bring a taste of the countryside that Freightliners approached the MPGA area. Among these gardens is the individuals and family members. to the inner city. It is to be found for more planting materials to develop Diversity Garden, which is located just In 2014 the Centre started to refurbish within Paradise Park, a small area of the Potager Garden further. The MPGA off . its existing garden to complement was delighted to give this grant. During 2012, local residents kick- their counselling and therapeutic started the “rebirth” of the garden which workshops – in effect to create an area COMMUNITY GARDENS had been lost during the redevelopment for meditative use by all who visit the Sherland Road Residents Association, of the site. Now the garden includes an Centre. It is also a place for fundraising with over 75 percent of residents as “edible” hedge and food growing areas events. The MPGA was pleased to members, is licensed by the London – both communal and individual - all provide funds for many plants and Borough of Richmond upon Thames to within walking distance of the kitchens containers. manage and care for this Twickenham of the residents’ homes. community woodland garden. The The garden’s outer area is lled with The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability garden provides interest and colour an assortment of plants and bulbs. In gives hope to their patients, residents throughout the seasons, attracts a 2014 BOST applied to the MPGA for and their families every day: a life in wide variety of birds and wildlife and is funds for plants and bulbs for areas which disability plays its part but a life in a peaceful place where people can of the garden that needed attention. which patients can experience fullment pause awhile. The MPGA was pleased to fund their and personal achievement. Located In 2014, the Association approached carefully researched plants and bulbs for in the London Borough of Wandsworth, Freightliners Farm shop. the MPGA to fund the creation of a these problem areas. the Hospital’s nine acres of gardens are 4 5 MPGA Grants 2014 cont. a key component of the work of the started preparing and clearing the bed Totteridge House is a Tenants/Residents Hospital. so that the actual planting can occur in Management Co-operative. Residents The MPGA was more than delighted to autumn 2015. maintain the estate with the support of fund the addition of more plant ladders in the London Borough of Wandsworth, the Hospital’s gardens. The patients do all The Growing Kitchen is a resident-led who built the 130 ats within a 23 the planting in pots, previously decorated community project on the Wenlock storey tower block in the 1970s. The by them. The pots are then placed on Estate in the London Borough of surrounding garden is well -maintained plant ladders of three tiers, with each Hackney and consists of 1475 units and designed, largely due to one of rung being suitable to the particular contained in 5 blocks. With a Heritage the residents who has green ngers and needs of the patients. These ladders Lottery Fund grant seven years ago, a gives much of her time to tending the are more visible from the wards than Plant ladders at the Hospital formerly disused site was transformed plants. She also involves young people traditional planting areas, are portable for Neuro-Disability into a lovely shared garden in which in growing herbs and vegetables from and can be easily moved to meet the organic fruit and vegetables are grown. seed, and ran a wonderful sunower- changing needs of the patients. will take on the maintenance of the The site currently includes 35 individual growing competition. To assist with developed spaces independently. allotments which were thought more propagation and also to involve the HOUSING ESTATES appropriate than a community garden children on the estate, the Tenants/ Time and Talents Centre in the London Lillington and Longmoore Estate, as it gives people ownership. Residents Management Organisation Borough of Southwark brought their located in Pimlico in the London The membership and resident applied for a grant for a greenhouse own underused and overgrown Borough of Westminister, is a complex involvement increases every year and which the MPGA funded. sensory garden back into use through of around 950 homes that include both Growing Kitchen found that its existing creating raised beds, planting herbs social and leasehold housing. The green greenhouse needed replacing as there LIBRARIES and vegetables and building links with spaces on the Estate are tended by an was a real need for space to grow Marylebone Library and local people to help them develop in-house social housing team which is more tender plants under glass. In 2014 Information Service in the London and maintain it. They are now working unique across London. The estate and the Group successfully approached Borough of Westminster was recently with local individuals, groups and its landlord, CityWest Homes, have been the MPGA for funds to buy a larger relocated to Macintosh House on associations in three clusters of their local recognised for seven years in a row as greenhouse. Beaumont Street, just off Marylebone estates to transform their communal one of the best parks in the country High Street. Included in this new location outdoor spaces. With the combined through receiving the prestigious Green is a 20 metre by 4 metre outdoor space horticultural expertise of Urban Growth Flag Award. at the rear of the library with a high Learning Gardens (their project partners) CityWest Homes approached the wall separating it from the nearest Time and Talents’ established strong MPGA in 2014 to help turn a tired, highly building. This space had been used as a relationships in the community. The visible, dry grass bed into a beautiful garden when the building was sheltered Centre is committed to supporting the eye-catching area. This particular bed housing. Members of the library’s staff transformation of 1000 square metres of is located on a major route through the took on the task of transforming this underused spaces into cultivated and Estate, which is used by many residents space into a community space focused productive growing space. and visitors as it leads to the Community on growing food. Time and Talents successfully Hall. Through the staff’s efforts and with approached the MPGA to provide the The grant application was successful. the support of the MPGA, large free tools needed by the community for the However the project has been put on standing containers have been lled project, at the end of which the tools will hold because of major works starting with compost and plants, creating an be gifted to the established gardening on the Estate including scaffolding on open gardening space for visitors of all teams and residents’ associations who the bed. As we write, volunteers have The Growing Kitchen’s new greenhouse ages to observe the growing plants. 6 7 MPGA Grants 2014 cont.

The creation of this garden provides OPEN SPACES community engagement and social Coulsdon Memorial Ground in the interaction for isolated or vulnerable London Borough of Croydon contains sections of the community - including a local bowling green that has been the elderly and the homeless - and restored in its entirety by the Friends education about food, sustainability, of Marlpit Lane Bowling Green. As organic growing and environmental the Council were unable to fund awareness for all the community. replacement benches for the area around the green, the MPGA stepped MUSEUMS in to fund a bench. The area is a place The Garden Museum in the London of rest for all park visitors, not just those Borough of Lambeth has recently won using the bowling green, and the Community a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund other surrounding benches have also planting day for the refurbishment of the interior and been restored which has improved the at the Rookery the creation of a new cloister. Dan appearance of the green. Pearson, the renowned landscape designer, is redesigning the adjacent PARKS planting hedgerows, reclaiming further grant for a selection of perennial garden. The museum will be closed from (London Borough ornamental borders, creating nursery plants to complement their previous September 2015 until summer 2016 for the of Southwark) claims to be the rst beds and installing a greenhouse. wildower planting. Our horticulturist redevelopment. municipal park in London as it opened The work has been carried out by a commended the work of the volunteers The MPGA donated a large number to the public in 1864. Celebrating its dedicated group of 15-20 volunteers who in rejuvenating the beds with liberal of small potted perennial plants at the 150th anniversary in 2014, the active meet every week. mulching and thoughtful planting and end of 2014 for the museum to store Friends group planned a number of The group approached the MPGA the MPGA were pleased to donate a in its borrowed greenhouse. They will educational activities with local primary for help with refurbishing some mixed grant to further their aspirations. This be nurtured and grown on during the schools. A colourful nature trail leaflet for borders and re-stocking the formal rose garden has also featured on the MPGA museum’s refurbishment and will be children was produced by the Friends beds. The MPGA’s horticulturist visited blog on our website. planted as more mature plants when to encourage the use of the park and the site and helped devise a planting the project reaches completion. which the MPGA agreed to sponsor. programme. With the aid of a grant The Rookery, on The First Southwark Brownies helped with from the MPGA, the borders have been in the London Borough of Lambeth, the production of the leaflet which is successfully restocked and the new celebrated its centenary as a public available from the park ofce, café and roses, a distinctive part of the formal garden in July 2013 and won the MPGA’s art gallery. garden, have been planted. coveted Spade Award in that year. This was awarded for the Centenary Winsford Gardens was originally a Marcus Garvey Park in the London Committee’s dedicated commitment to private garden that was bequeathed Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham the restoration of the Edwardian garden. to the London Borough of Bromley in the has an active Friends group who A remarkable transformation has been 1960s. The park suffered years of neglect meet regularly to make the park more achieved with the help of a Heritage before the Conservation Volunteers and appealing for the entire community. The Lottery Fund grant, with which paths have more recently the Penge Green Gym park had already beneted from a huge been repaired and access secured, as Community Group set about undertaking donation of bulbs, from MPGA’s Bulbs well as volunteer-led projects to restore several projects. These have included the for London scheme in association with the gardens. The Friends of Streatham Rose border in Winsford Gardens. establishment of wildower meadows, Taylors Bulbs. They were now seeking a Common wanted to refurbish the White 8 9 MPGA Grants 2014 cont.

Garden and applied to the MPGA to Garden. The MPGA agreed to fund the beginnings, it now works with over 200 fund the purchase of white roses. Our tools from the UK manufacturer Bulldog gardens giving access to private and Chairman had the pleasure of attending Tools, who have also kindly donated the historic sites across 27 boroughs. Over the special community day in November Spade for our annual award. 16,000 visitors participated in 2014. 2014 during which the roses were planted. The complete project has led to new and Greenvale School in Catford, London The London Federation of City Farms well-considered Borough of Lewisham, is a secondary and Community Gardens has held its planting schemes, an upturn in visitor school for students with severe learning annual City Harvest Festival at Capel numbers and much greater engagement difculties. The school asked for a grant Manor for 16 years. It is a wonderful with the local community. from the MPGA to get their school event where young people and garden started in order to develop supporters of London’s community Arc in the Park is in the London Borough gardening projects with different class farms and gardens come together to of Newham. The charity Community groups. When the grant was received celebrate their work. For the past 10 Links works with over 200 children and in June, the school bought a raised years, the MPGA has provided two young people with disabilities each year. bed, propagators, a mini greenhouse prizes, one for the best display of a As they have access to extensive secure and a water butt which enabled the garden at a city farm and one for the outside space, the charity wanted to children to enjoy the experience of best display at a community garden. start a gardening club on two days growing vegetables and then eating The winners this year were Phoenix per week. To get this off the ground, the fresh produce. The raised bed Spitalelds City Farm High School Garden in Shepherds Bush, they required funding for gardening was planted with broad beans and London Borough of Hammersmith and equipment to create raised growing radishes in the autumn and strawberry classrooms. This has been an excellent Fulham, and Surrey Docks Farm in the beds, a sensory garden and a small plants have recently been added. way to demonstrate the benets of London Borough of Southwark. The prizes community orchard. The MPGA agreed The mini greenhouse was erected in healthy eating and the school now has boost the morale of the young people to fund this worthwhile project and were February to protect their seedlings and a thriving weekly gardening club. and encourage new volunteers and impressed with the dedication of the the propagators were in use in the greater participation. team. ADDITIONAL AWARDS Open Garden Squares Weekend London in Bloom shares a very long SCHOOL GROUNDS (OGSW) takes place annually in June association with the MPGA. It is the Christ Church Primary School in and is the London Parks and Gardens largest horticultural campaign in London the London Borough of Wandsworth Trust’s highest prole event. Since its involving many hundreds of communities cares for three gardens: the Nursery beginnings in 1998, the MPGA has in many different categories. The Garden, School Garden and the Secret supported what began as London Association funds two Discretionary Garden. The Secret Garden has been Squares Open Day. The Association has Awards. The winner for the category transformed from a disused site near been a champion of London’s Squares of Common of the Year was Barnes the school to an outdoor gardening for over a century and was instrumental Common in the London Borough of classroom. Raised beds have been sown in preserving derelict garden squares, Richmond upon Thames. The joint winners with vegetables, fruit trees planted and preventing them from development and of our Large Park of the Year Award were also wild owers. The school has the converting them into gardens. OGSW Terrace Gardens, also in Richmond, and aim to become a beacon school for now aims to celebrate these London Little in the Royal gardening in the community. The school Squares as well as many other hidden or Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. was in need of several sets of quality little-known gardens and increase public Both of these achieved the highest Gold junior tools to keep for use in the Secret Christ Church Primary School awareness of them. Starting from small awards. 10 11 BULBS FOR LONDON

he Bulbs for London initiative was launched by the MPGA in 2012 in Tconjunction with the prestigious Lincolnshire family rm, Taylors Bulbs. In this time almost 500,000 high quality spring bulbs have been distributed to some 300 parks and gardens throughout London. Taylors not only generously supply the bulbs free of charge, but also cover the cost of the packing and delivery. A considerable number of the sites which have received bulbs are in deprived areas and include schools, , Lambeth. public gardens, hospices, churchyards,

Each Spring when the bulbs city farms and community gardens. Rural Activities Garden Centre, Hillingdon. Many of the locations are looked after are in bloom they create a by wonderful teams of volunteers, the BfL bulbs are in bloom they create blaze of colour across London often organised by friends’ groups. a blaze of colour across London and It’s gratifying to know that amongst we receive many heartfelt messages and we receive many heartfelt those the Scheme has helped are the of thanks as well as some wonderful homeless, the unemployed, the elderly, photographs. We know from the messages of thanks as well as disenfranchised youth, children and feedback we receive that the bulbs some wonderful photographs adults with physical and mental issues have a profound effect on the daily lives “ as well as those with learning difculties. of numerous Londoners. It’s good to Renowned sites with a high public know that the MPGA and Taylors Bulbs, footfall, such as the Garden Museum, through their BfL initiative, brighten up so Strawberry Hill House, , many areas across the capital, bringing Coram Fields and Southwark Cathedral a sense of joy and well-being to residents have also beneted, together with and visitors alike. several of London’s Squares ranging from Arlington Square in Islington to Gordon 2015 UPDATE: We are delighted to and Woburn Squares in Bloomsbury. conrm that Taylors Bulbs have agreed “ During the last three years, the scheme to continue their partnership with us for has attracted an enormous amount another year. Details will be posted on of attention and this year was greatly our website and sent out to our contacts Abbey Gardens, Newham, left, and Queens Wood Cafe Community Garden, Haringey, right oversubscribed. Each spring when during November. 12 13 Retiring committee member David Sadler MBE avid Sadler MBE stood down as 1970s he was given responsibility for Green Flag Award for parks. In the1980s a Trustee and as an Executive creating from what he he was made a UK Commissioner for DCommittee member of the describes as ‘jigsaw bits of land’, which the Federation of Parks and travelled Metropolitan Public Gardens Association belonged to three London Boroughs. the world looking at open spaces and at the beginning of 2014. David was David and his wife Kathleen lived environmental projects. He remembers awarded the MBE for his Services to in Burgess Park during the years of being impressed by crops growing in the Parks and Communities after the old construction work that involved creating desert on a visit to the Arab Emirates. He London County Council was disbanded one of London’s largest man made was also excited by a trip to Chicago, in 1965. He joined the MPGA in 1986 lakes. David admits the development which at the time had nothing to match after the demise of the Greater London wasn’t always well received by the Burgess Park. Council. locals. “I had some nasty moments with Two years ago David revisited Burgess His career started as an apprentice the scrap metal dealers”, but other Park with his granddaughter and her

working at Myatts Park in , opponents, like a local barrister, sent family and a lady came up to him and London, UK www.davisla.com © Davis Landscape Architecture, originally known as Myatts Field. “It was David a Christmas card for years after said, “Mr Sadler you are back, now we The man-made lake at Burgess Park where the Huguenots grew produce, the park was completed. will get some work done!” David had including new introductions like lettuces David was a respected judge for to inform her he was only back to take most grateful to David Sadler for his which didn’t bolt”, says David who Britain in Bloom, and in 2002 became a look, and he was very pleased with contribution to their work over the years went on to run parks in Kilburn and Chairman of one of their judging panels. what he saw. and wish him and his wife a long and Hammersmith among others. In the He was also one of the founders of the The ofcers of the MPGA are happy retirement.

The MPGA blog or some time we had own contract gardening Soho. Marc writes in his Together we come up with been wanting to set business, and is hugely own inimitable style and a short-list, Marc then visits Fup a blog on our knowledgeable, but very gives the reader an original each garden and if he is website, and during 2014 importantly for the MPGA and interesting view of sufciently impressed or we were fortunate to be he is passionate about each of these gardens. The inspired he will set to work. put in touch with Marc London and its gardens. blog is subtitled, ‘London We are delighted to Owen, who already had To date, he has written Gardens – Marc’s Favourite have Marc as a volunteer. his own gardening blog, four blogs for us which Gardens’. Although With the blog he has but agreed to start writing can all be accessed we suggest gardens to helped us to develop a regular blog for us. Our from the website. These Marc, he makes the nal another way of highlighting main aim being that we are Arlington Square decision. Obviously, we the MPGA which is not only wanted to highlight some in Islington, Sherland have been involved with modern but a wonderful of the many lesser-known Road Rain Garden in thousands of London’s resource for garden lovers gardens with which we Twickenham, Marcus various green spaces over looking for something a

© Nick Sarebi/Flickr had been involved over Garvey Park in Olympia the years, so we have little different in the way of Arlington Square in Islington. the years. Marc has his and Phoenix Garden in a long list of possibles! garden visiting. 14 15 THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION Obituaries FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 DECEMBER 2014

LORD BIRKETT Statement of Financial Activities President Metropolitan Public Gardens In 1979 Lord Birkett joined the Greater For the year ended 31 December 2014 Association 1986 -2010 London Council as Director for The news of Lord Birkett’s death in April Recreation and the Arts. Retiring from was received with great sadness. this post in 1986, Lord Birkett became Total Total Income Capital 2014 2013 Lord Birkett was educated at Stowe President of The Metropolitan Public Notes £ £ £ £ School and then Trinity College Gardens Association. INCOMING RESOURCES Cambridge. He then forged a very As our President he was punctilious in Gross dividends received 11,089 - 11,089 11,045 distinguished career in the art world. attending our Annual General Meetings, Deposit account interest 60 - 60 47 On graduating from Cambridge presenting the Spade with great charm Subscriptions with Gift Aid recoveries 275 - 275 625 University, Lord Birkett joined Ealing and always providing good advice and Studios where he was involved in encouragement. Donations and subscriptions without Gift Aid 8,774 100 8,874 13,467 producing and directing many major Due to his declining health Lord Birkett Total Incoming resources 20,198 100 20,298 25,184 lms eventually becoming Chairman of retired as President in 2010 having held RESOURCES EXPENDED The British Film Academy. From 1975- the ofce for 24 years. 1977 he was also Deputy Director of The We send our deep sympathy to Lord Grants, afliation fees & London Spade 2 13,519 - 13,519 13,199 National Theatre under Sir Peter Hall. Birkett’s son and his family. Charity & community advice & liaison - - Secretarial & administrative services - - Annual General Meeting 3,516 - 3,516 1,766 MICHAEL UPWARD 35 years and in 1993 he Ofce expenses – incl. postage, stationery, 1,391 - 1,391 (1932-2015) served as Master of The Travel and sundries 1,875 Ofcers of the MPGA were Worshipful Company of very sorry to learn of the Gardeners. In 1996 he was 18,426 - 18,426 16,840 death of Michael Upward awarded the coveted Net incoming/ (outgoing) 1,772 100 1,872 8,344 VMM on 18th April 2015 Veitch Memorial Medal (aged 82). Michael had a by the Royal Horticultural long association with the Society. Gains/ (Losses) on investments 5,765 5,765 29,968 MPGA joining as Honorary MPGA Chairman, Net movement in funds 1,772 5,865 7,637 38,312 Secretary on lst March William Fraser adds Balances brought forward at 1 January 2014 19,459 256,617 276,076 276,076 1963, serving for a total “Michael always made of 25 years. Although Beyond the MPGA himself available Balances carried forward he retired as Secretary in Michael was an inuential with advice and at 31 December 2014 21,231 262,482 283,713 283,713 1987, Michael continued horticulturist, writing many encouragement and he as a Member of the books on gardening and was highly respected for The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts Executive Committee creating several gold all his knowledge and INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT: I have examined the nancial statements for the year ended 31st until 2010 having been medal winning exhibits enthusiasm. We send our December 2014 from the books and records and information and explanations supplied to me. In my an inuential and much at Chelsea Flower Show. deepest sympathy to his opinion the nancial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association as at 31st December 2014 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year ended. valued member of the He was Secretary of The wife, Primrose, and their team for 48 years. Alpine Garden Society for family”. John Clark FCA, Chartered Accountant 16 17 THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2014 31 December 2014

2014 2013 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Notes (a) Expenditure is dealt with on an accruals basis, which includes making provision at the year end for grants £ £ FIXED ASSETS approved which have not yet been paid. (b) Dividends, interest and life subscriptions receivable are credited when received. Investments 3 262,482 256,617 (c) Investments are shown at their market value at the year end. Realised and unrealised gains or losses on investments are credited or debited to the Capital account. (d) Contributions received as a result of appeals for capital are credited to the Capital Account. CURRENT ASSETS (e) Policy on reserves: The total of grants approved over any given period is chosen to keep income and Debtors 4 55 125 expenditure broadly in balance, and avoid the accumulation of large cash balances. It is therefore not appropriate to specify precise level of reserves to be maintained. Cash at bank and in hand 6 23,324 21,683 2. GRANTS, AFFILIATIONS AND LONDON SPADE Grants and Donations Approved Total Current Assets 23,379 21,808 £ 05/03/2014 Open Garden Squares Weekend 750.00 04/04/2014 Friends of Marlpit Lane Bowling Green 1000.00 CURRENT LIABILITIES 07/04/2014 Friends of Southwark Park 500.00 03/04/2014 Drop in Bereavement Centre 500.00 03/04/2014 Time and Talents 500.00 Creditors 5 2,148 2,349 09/05/2014 CityWest Homes 420.00 07/04/2014 Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability 260.00 NET CURRENT ASSETS 21,231 19,459 07/04/2014 Sherland Road Residents 832.74 02/06/2014 Penge Green Gym 274.53 05/06/2014 Freightliners City Farm 960.00 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 283,713 276,076 09/06/2014 London in Bloom 1000.00 10/06/2014 Greenvale School 382.50 28/07/2014 Christchurch Primary School 359.05 REPRESENTED BY 04/08/2014 Growing Kitchen 558.99 11/09/2014 London in Bloom 70.00 Capital Fund 262,482 256,617 23/09/2014 Marylebone Library 400.00 13/11/2014 Marcus Garvey Park 500.00 01/10/2014 City Farms 150.00 21,231 19,459 Accumulated Income Fund 08/10/2014 City Farms Phoenix School 35.00 15/10/2014 Penge Green Gym 300.00 TOTAL FUNDS 283,713 276,076 22/10/2014 Bankside Open Spaces Trust 135.00 22/10/2014 Totteridge House 458.38 27/10/2014 Arc in the Park 1280.00 Approved The Rookery 492.00 Garden Museum 1000.00 Phoenix High School (City farms) 115.00 W B Fraser Mrs M Dowbiggin St Marys PCC 265.00 Chairman Hon. Treasurer Compton Terrace Upper street £1500 changed to £1476.90 (23) 13,475.19 AFFILIATIONS National Playing Fields 25.00 London Forum 19.00 13,519.19 18 19 THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION THE METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Notes to the Accounts continued

3. FIXED ASSETS Equities Barings Treasury COIF COIF Total 2013 7. COMMITMENTS AT YEAR END Investment Targeted 5% 2014 Income Deposit Fund for Return Units Account Charities Fund Contribution Borough £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Firm Commitments £ As at 1 January 2014 134,705 - - 121,105 807 256,617 222,251 London in Bloom 1,000 London wide Additions - 807 100 907 115,815 London in Bloom Awards 70 London wide Disposals - 807 (807) (112,224) Open Garden Squares Weekend 750 London wide Realised and (91) 5,856 5,765 London City Farms Prizes 300 Varies unrealised gains & losses 29,968 Fairchild Garden 10,000 Hackney Deposit account 807 St. Olaves Church 500 City of London As at 31 December 2014 134,614 - - 127,768 100 262,482 256,617 Calthorpe Project 500 Camden Holding in units 9,360 - - 10,486.77 Cost of investments Possible Future Involvement 31 December 2014 5,881 - - 116,622 122,503 A further £5000 to Fairchild Garden 5,000 Hackney 31 December 2013 5,881 115,815 121,696 Firm commitments are subject to projects, events proceeding as planned. 4. DEBTORS 2014 2013 £ £ Tax recoveries due 55 125 Treasurer’s Report on the 2014 accounts

5. CREDITORS 2014 2013 ollowing the Trustees’ decision to Actuaries and the Worshipful Company £ £ reinvest part of our capital in CCLA of Saddlers for their donations together Spitalelds Crypt Trust 457 Charities Investment Fund Income with those of our members, some of Compton Terrace 1,500 F Ofce costs 261 Units I am happy to report that the value whom also sent additional contributions. London in Bloom 70 of this investment increased to £127,768 A total of approximately £13,500 Postage and fares 29 and also provided an income of over was given by way of 26 grants, broadly Name badges 32 £4,800. The investment in M&G produced in line with 2013 and more details of The Rookery 492.00 an income of over £7000. these appear in this booklet. Garden Museum 1,000.00 Phoenix High School (City Farm) 115.00 Donations were back in line with the In 2014, The Committee decided St Marys PCC 265.00 years before we received funding from to hold the AGM in the sumptuous Ofce expenses 200.35 City Bridge Trust and we are particularly surroundings of the Mansion House AGM expenses 14.87 grateful to the Worshipful Company of where many AGMs had been held in Realistic Web Design re Blog 60.00 Gardeners for their continued support. earlier years. TOTAL 2,148 2,349 We were also very pleased to receive This increased the cost but other 6. CASH at BANK and in HAND 2014 2013 a donation from the Band Trust and we expenditure was kept to a minimum £ £ also thank Fracture Technologies, the and the evening was felt to be a huge TSB Bank 8,671 6,130 COIF 14,653 15,553 Westminster Foundation, the Company of success and well worthwhile. TOTAL 23,324 21,683

Included in the COIF amount is £4,000 received from the Worshipful Company of Gardeners for 2015 and £5,000 from R Payton’s legacy 20 METROPOLITAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION

Annual Report and Accounts 2013