H A R L E S D E N Town Hub

StorpWeber Architecture THIS COMMUNITY GARDEN HAS BEEN CREATED THROUGH “ THE HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS,

CHARITIES AND FUNDERS. THE MAIN AIM FOR THE GARDEN IS TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY “ THROUGH EXERVISE AND FOOD GROWING, AS WELL AS TO ENSURE H A R L E S D E N 0TOWN GARDEN CLUB HOUSE1 THAT BIODIVERSITY FLOURISHES IN THIS URBAN ENVIRONMENT.

Historic records show that garden nursery buildings dominated the site from around 1896-1935. These were then demolished to make way for the 32 do- mestic garages that were removed in 1980 to allow for an open space and play- ground. Unfortunately, in later years the park became a magnet for antisocial be- haviour and no longer was a welcoming space for the community…. until 2013, when a community consultation on how to improve the area - part funded by Catalyst housing association - was carried out by local homeless charity Lift.

As a result of this consultation, the Friends of Harlesden Town Garden (FHTG) was formed – In partnership with Lift (Now Crisis Brent) and Brent Coun- cil - in order to help coordinate the park and to reintroduce a community as- set that offers something for everyone to enjoy: a play area for children, green lawn and wild flower area, multi-use games area and raised bed allotments.

+ Harlesden Town Garden is now well established and it will grow into a green sanctuary at the heart of the Harlesden. To extend the impact of the Gar- den onto the local community it is necessary to establish a base for group meeting, workshops, community events and other gatherings.

The proposed Harlesden Town Garden Club House will allow members to ex- tend their work with the community while giving them a base to meet, ex- change ideas, store their tools, clean and exchange their produce from the allotments. In addition to this the Club House can be used to further con- nect with the local community though additional public and private events.

Together with STORP WEBER ARCHITECTS, a local Harlesden architecture practice, the idea for the clubhouse was developed. The Club House will be used to connect all the members of the public, promote outdoor activities, gardening and healthy eating. It can be used for arts events with local kids, cooking classes, raises awareness of environmental issues through and promote the ‘greening’ of Harlesden further through the Green Club.

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“ LOOKING AT SECTIONS OF CUT , THE IDEA FOR THE CLUB HOUSE ECHOES 0 2 THE LAYERS SLOWLY BEING PEELED OFF... ” O U R A I M The main structure is built around a standard 20 foot steel shipping container. This will form the centre of the structure, give it an instant enclosure and provide a safe place to carry out Community members who have lacked access / Promoting the health the work. It is sitting on the existing foundations for the old shed. to local green space and have been concerned and well-being of all the about anti-social behaviour will feel safer, more residents of Harlesden connected to other local people, and bet- The skins are formed of standard scaffolding boards mount- ter able to engage in outdoor activities near ed on a structure that can be easily assembled out of scaf- their home and feel there is an outdoor space / Involving local people folding poles. In between the container and the skins a that belongs to them - where they can garden, and supporting them variety of spaces can be used for storage of the tools, a meet neighbours, exercise, learn about na- through training and shed for outdoor furniture and a much needed toilet. ture, or just enjoy being in a quiet green space. guidance The roof will be planted and used to collect rainwater, By becoming involved in the design, development the skin to mount a variety of planters made out of re- and implementation of rejuvenating the park, local / Carrying out and pro- residents will also learn more about the impor- moting environmental cycled bottles etc. The decking at the front of the struc- improvements and con- tance of biodiversity and food growing and the ture will allow for events to be organised and a temporary servation steps they can take to achieve that in their own shading through a fabric sail will provide some shading. homes. By that we hope to contribute to out- comes such as the consumption of fresh produce / Promoting sport, com- and in turn create a reduction in food related car- munity recreation and bon emissions and an increase in individuals eat- play facilities ing a healthier diet and improving overall health.

THE HARLESDEN TOWN GAR- DENS KEY AIM IS TO DELVER THE PROJECT IN A WAY THAT WILL LEAD TO NEW AND EX- CITING VOLUNTEERING AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE WILL BUILD THEIR SKILLS, CONFIDENCE,WELL-BE- K E Y M I S O N ING AND EMPLOYABILITY. + The new Club House will sit within the current Harlesden Town Garden. It utilises the space occupied by the current shed and will allow the mem- bers of the Harlesden Town Garden to extend their initiatives to promote gardening, healthy eating and living in the local community. In a sense, this initiative builds and invites a new culture/community of well-being, sustainability and health within the local community.

Towards the Health and Well-being of Harlesden...

0H A R L E S3 D E N TOWN GARDEN CLUB HOUSE 0ALLOTMENTS 4

PITCH I N

Prices range from £15 to £30 per year and these prices are halved if you are re- ceiving any type of benefit or tax credit.

To sign up please download the form below and email back to Gabriel at WOULD YOU LIKE TO [email protected] or deliver to Crisis Skylight Brent, Unit 2 Ajax TAKE ON A RAISEDBED House, 16a St Thomas’s Road, Harlesden, NW10 4AJ Please note that we do currently have AT a waiting list and residents closest to Harlesden Town Garden take priority.

HARLESDEN Not sure how to start growing you own fruit and veg? Then Join our Green Club TOWN GARDEN? every Saturday 10am - 1pm - it’s FREE! series of public events are planned to engage and connect with A /the local community in Harlesden and to involve them in the de- cision making process for the new Garden Club House. These are planned as High Street Conversations leading into a pub- lic consultation on the project in the Harlesden Town Garden.

Through the new Harlesden Town Garden Trolley, the ide- as will spread into the community; encouraging the resi- dents with bottle garden making workshops, which explores healthy eating through growing your own food on a windowsill.

Small Do-it-Yourself projects, such as the bottle garden are quick and sustainable methods of improving your general well-being - as the origins of the nutrients used for the ’s growth is entirely under your control. Furthermore, there has been research con- ducted at UCL (University College London) which indicates that exposure to small patches of greenery and flora optimises our immuno-regulation. This in turn helps our bodies fight against infections and possibly improve our physical well-being. +

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Please have a look at these sim- ple how to leaflets. These will help you in a step-by-step guide how to start growing your own food and flowers. In no time Harlesden will be transformed into a greener environment. Y O U R O W N B O T T L E G A R D E N

It is incredibly easy to get into gardening - you don’t even need a garden to make a start. All you need are some old juice or water bottles, some scissors, some soil, seeds and patience.

Cut a hole in the side of the plastic bottle, fill some soil in (not too much about 1 1/2 - 2 inches should be enough. Put some seeds in. You can either some flower seeds or vegetables or whatever you want.

Water it (sparsely, not too wet!) and put it on your windowsill. The bottle will act like a minature creating a microclimate that is warm. This will help the to grow. Don’t put it in full sunlight, or they will dry out too quickly.

Then wait, and wait.... Feel the soil everyday to make sure it is still moist, not wet! Then provided you have some green fingers the seeds will grow and in a short while you will have a small plant.

Good luck, and share some photos of your successes on Facebook with us. If 0 7 it doesn’t grow, come along to our Green Club to get some tips. 0Y O U R G A8 R D E N

A garden can be anywhere. On the windowsill, on top of a wall, along the outside of your walls....

Any space will do, jsut start growing your flowers or your vegetables.

In no time your space will be transfomred into a green space - giving you endless joy. 0H A R L E S9 D E N TOWN GARDEN CLUB HOUSE

P R O P O S A L P L A N 1 0 H A R L E S D E N TOWN GARDEN CLUB HOUSE

P R O P O S A L S E C T I O N +

/ P L A N + + / M O D E L T E C H N I A L D

+ J O I N U S !

The Green Club is held every Friday at the Harlesden Town Garden between 10am and 3pm. Each week Green Club Members get stuck in with making Har- lesden Town Garden a better place. They also learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables under the expert guidance of our gardening trainer Hannah.

The sessions are totally free and open + + to everyone. No experience is neces- sary - all we ask is for is bucket loads of enthusiasm! Lunch and safety equip- ment is also provided although you may occasionally need warm and waterproof + clothing...

We also plan to run a few trips to places such as the amazing Kew and have occasional visiting lecturers to talk about topics such as and Biodiversity.

Want to join? Email Gabriel at: [email protected] or alternatively just turn up any Saturday between March and October. StorpWeber Architecture

L O C A T I O N

Challenge Close, Harlesden, NW10 4AN

O P E N I N G H O U R S

Open Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm in Winter months 9am to 8pm in Summer months

C O N T A C T

Email: [email protected]

L I N K S facebook.com/harlesdentowngardens/ facebook.com/groups/harlesdentowngardens/ twitter.com/harlesdengarden instagram.com/harlesdentowngarden/ www.harlesdentowngarden.co.uk

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