Plants that will form the centrepiece of a new community garden in Battersea have been delivered to a primary school where they will be potted out tomorrow by children and volunteers.
Published on
May 23, 2016
The herbs and edible flowers have arrived at St George’s Primary School ready for tomorrow’s planting session as this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival gets under way in Nine Elms on the South Bank.
All are welcome to join the team from Edible Bus Stop who will be transforming Thessaly Road into an Edible Avenue, which will be open to the public throughout the festival, which runs from Saturday 21 May until Sunday 12 June.
The plants were delivered this morning and planting will begin tomorrow at 11am, with the session continuing until 2pm.
The Edible Avenue project was inspired by New Covent Garden Market’s bounty of fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables and celebrates the Nine Elms area’s historic links to farming, which fed the capital for hundreds of years.
Volunteers will help plant trailing vines and the attraction will also include seating, sculptural elements to draw together people of all ages.
Taking part in Saturday’s planting session is free and there is no need to book a place in advance.
For more information visit the project website.
Now in its fifth year, the Chelsea Fringe coincides with the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show and is designed to shine a light on community gardening projects across London and around the globe.
Nine Elms and Vauxhall have a deep-rooted horticultural heritage and will be putting on a plethora of event and attractions. The area is undergoing a major regeneration programme and is home to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the Garden Museum, Vauxhall City Farm and New Covent Garden Market.
Highlights include:
• A new site-specific art installation by artist Rachel Champion, which is set to be unveiled in a railway arch in Newport Street, commissioned by the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership with the support of the Vauxhall One Business Investment District. The installation can be viewed between 10am and 5pm on Thursdays to Sundays throughout the festival.
• Thessaly Road will be transformed into an Edible Avenue. Volunteers will be planting edible flowers, herbs and fruit trees and visitors are invited to join them for a “pot-it-up” event between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 21 May at St George’s School in Corunna Road.
• A summer party with acoustic music and Pimms in the Barbara Hepworth-inspired garden by Rosie Irving and Antonia Young, which has been relocated from Tate Britain to the pop-up sculpture park next to the Beaconsfield Gallery in Newport Street. The event takes place between noon and 3pm on Friday 10 June.
• Free tours behind the scenes at the iconic New Covent Garden Flower Market, giving visitors the chance to learn about the history of the UK’s largest wholesale flower market from 7am until 8.30am on Saturday 21 May and Wednesday 1 June. The events are free but booking in advance is essential. Email info@cgma.co.uk to book a place on the tour.
• The opportunity to see London’s oldest cultivated garden during the Lambeth Palace Garden Open Day from 12 noon until 3pm on Friday 12 June.
• A workshop with artist Melanie King where visitors will create photographic prints inspired by the flower market during a workshop between 11.30am and 3.30pmon Sunday 5 June. The event is free but places must be booked here
Most of the events are free but places for some activities are limited and must be booked in advance.
Find out more at www.nineelmslondon.com/chelseafringe