A host of alternative gardening projects across London’s newest district
Published on
May 5, 2015
Nine Elms on the South Bank is drawing together a programme of local activities as part of Chelsea Fringe, the international garden festival that’s now in its fourth year and celebrates everything from guerrilla gardeners to community projects and large-scale installations.
The programme at Nine Elms draws inspiration from the area’s horticultural and industrial heritage, celebrates the area’s flourishing green projects and offers a glimpse of the area’s future landscape. Former industrial land is undergoing vast improvement works in Nine Elms; this includes the creation of a new linear park, turning private land into public open space and the work currently underway on the Thames River Path. The River Path will ultimately extend two kilometres from Chelsea Bridge to Lambeth Bridge, linking the South Bank with Battersea Park, while the linear park is set to be a beautifully landscaped, public and open space linking Battersea Power Station to Vauxhall Cross.
A burst of colour along Nine Elms Lane will coincide with Chelsea Fringe. A mixture of triumph, single late and lily-flowered tulips have been planted in beds at Prescot Wharf, visible from both the Thames River Path and along Nine Elms Lane. The beds have been planted and are being maintained by Thrive, with tulip bulbs supplied by Jub Holland.
Chelsea Fringe events across Nine Elms on the South Bank will this year cover everything conceivably linked with gardens, plants, green routes, landscape and environment – with most events free and non-ticketed. The programme looks to celebrate the area’s efforts in reclaiming private industrial land for public use, linking public squares, footpaths, cycle lanes and outdoor recreational facilities together with pocket parks.
Highlight events within the expansive programme include:
• Nine Elms Horticultural Spa & Apothecary Experience by Loop.pH. A temporary public experience that reinvigorates and celebrates the Thames River Path, inviting people into a temporary structure for an utterly magical and futuristic tea ceremony. Check www.nineelmslondon.com/chelseafringe for workshop & event times. Riverside Gardens, Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall SW8 5BY (30th May – 7th June 2015, weekends – free entry)
• Weekly Hugo Bugg Garden Parties in Vauxhall Pocket Park Piazza (within Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens) courtesy of Vauxhall One BID, celebrating British summer in style with Pimm’s, live music and guided walks (Launches on 15th, additional dates: 22nd, 29th May & 5th June – free entry)
• A Chelsea Fringe special edition of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time comes to Vauxhall – to be recorded in the Tea House Theatre on 17th May (ticketed – please book early to avoid disappointment)
• Flour for a flower – Rose BIG LUNCH. Floral foodie fun. Help restock the Battersea Food bank and get a green reward, some wholesome food and a heap of fun in return. Live music, workshops and arts activities for all the family. ROSE Community Centre, Ascalon Street, Battersea SW8 4DJ. (6th June – free entry)
• Grow your own… and cook with the family. Fun and informative sessions at Vauxhall City Farm (24th, 27th, 28th, 31st May & 7th June – entry fees apply)
Helen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms on the South Bank said, “It’s our third year supporting Chelsea Fringe and this year’s programme looks to be our most colourful and eclectic yet. It’s a real testament to our green fingered local communities, as we once again celebrate the area’s rich horticultural history.”
Tim Richardson, Founder-director Chelsea Fringe added: “The Chelsea Fringe is now a firm part of the gardening calendar and we are delighted that Nine Elms is participating in a big way again. The Fringe is a chance to introduce new concepts and to celebrate existing ideas and initiatives — just so long as the projects are interesting, on topic and legal! Nine Elms has ticked all those boxes (and more) once again this year.”
A full list of events in the area (with dates, times and costings) can be found in the specially commissioned Chelsea Fringe at Nine Elms on the South Bank map. More events are registering all the time so be sure to check www.nineelmslondon.com/chelseafringe for the latest additions and for full event details.
ENDS
Media contacts: Bea Bishop/Jennifer Ball The Communication Group plc +44 20 7630 1411 bbishop@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk / jball@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
About Nine Elms on the South Bank: Nine Elms on the South Bank is the £15 billion opportunity area between Lambeth Bridge and Chelsea Bridge, and is one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe. The area will be transformed from one of the capital’s last remaining industrial districts into a world-class destination right in the heart of London. Already home to Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station, the area will also be home to the new Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the new U.S. Embassy. Underutilised industrial land is making way for new public squares, parks, schools, Tube stations, homes, and businesses, which will drive growth and create jobs and homes. It will become a strikingly modern addition to the cityscape and a new centre for culture on London’s South Bank.
Twitter: @nineelmsteam