The horticultural heritage of Nine Elms on the South Bank will be showcased through a programme of events as part of the Chelsea Fringe. From 17 May the area will be brought to life with a pop-up forest, community growing projects and tours around the New Covent Garden Flower Market.
Published on
May 1, 2014
The horticultural heritage of Nine Elms on the South Bank will be showcased through a programme of events as part of the Chelsea Fringe. From 17 May the area will be brought to life with a pop-up forest, community growing projects and tours around the New Covent Garden Flower Market.
This is the third Chelsea Fringe and will take place at a host of different venues and settings across London, including Nine Elms on the South Bank. It features an eclectic mixture of public spectacles, horticultural happenings and community celebrations.
In Nine Elms on the South Bank the events focus on three key themes:
• Celebrating a diverse range of local community gardening activity
• The future greening of Nine Elms on the South Bank
• Walks and tours throughout the area
These areas of activity encompass such horticultural treats as:
• The quirky and creative White Rabbit walks that will bring to life the Nine Elms area through a unique theatrical performance that tells a story of heritage and renewal (17 May 2014)
• A pop-up forest in the middle of Vauxhall Island from Vauxhall One Business Improvement District – acting as a metaphor for the ‘greening’ of the Nine Elms on the South Bank area (24-31 May 2014). Trees will be planted out into the district following the Fringe and London Tree Week
• An open day and chance to talk with landscape architect, Camlins, on the creation of the linear park – the green ribbon of public realm that ties together the new developments in Nine Elms (7-8 June 2014). Green connectivity will also be the focus of The Missing Link walk, a guided walk explaining innovative greening plans to link the Garden Museum to the Vauxhall Gyratory and on to the new linear park (25 May 2014)
• A family fun day at Vauxhall City Farm – games, crafts and activities to get the whole family into the growing spirit (25 May 2014)
• Talks and tours of Covent Garden Flower Market that showcase Nine Elms horticultural heritage and the beautifully scented home of the flower market (23 & 24 May 2014)
• Series of events focused on existing local communities including Eden Community Garden, Doddington + Rollo Community Roof Garden and Bonnington Square
• A pop-up Vauxhall One Sculpture Garden on Newport Street adjacent to Beaconsfield Gallery and the forthcoming Damien Hirst Gallery.
New events continue to be announced – visit www.nineelmslondon.com/chelseafringe for the latest details.
Nine Elms on the South Bank is perfectly placed to play a key role in the Chelsea Fringe as it is situated just over Chelsea Bridge, a few hundred metres from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and an area that is bursting with horticultural history. The area itself is named after the row of elm trees that bordered the lane in the 17th century. With the cultural transformation of the area, we are celebrating our past whilst building for the future.
Helen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms on the South Bank said, “Chelsea Fringe first came to Nine Elms last year with a programme of activity at Battersea Power Station. This year, we are delighted to be able to support such an extensive programme of events, celebrating our rich horticultural history, as delivered by our local communities.”
Key events are being delivered by Vauxhall One Business Improvement District. Says Chris Law, Director of Public Realm and Development, Vauxhall One: “Vauxhall is changing fast and urban greening is really important to regeneration. Vauxhall One BID is proud to work with Nine Elms on the delivery of great green innovations around the district.”
Tim Richardson, Chelsea Fringe Founder-Director said, “The Chelsea Fringe is all about local people getting together by means of gardening activities and events, and the projects planned for Nine Elms are great examples of this. We have found that people like to visit several projects in succession, so having a series of events in close proximity is also a great idea. It’s great that Nine Elms on the South Bank is taking this ‘ground-up’ as opposed to ‘top-down’ approach and we are delighted to be working with the project organisers on some really imaginative events which are very much in the ‘Fringe spirit’.”
www.nineelmslondon.com/chelseafringe
Chelsea Fringe at Nine Elms on the South Bank – map
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Media contacts:
Bea Bishop/Jennifer Ball
The Communication Group plc
+44 20 7630 1411
bbishop@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
About The Chelsea Fringe:
The 3rd Chelsea Fringe will begin on Saturday 17th May and run for three weeks, at a host of different venues and settings across London. The Fringe is all about harnessing and spreading some of the excitement and energy that fizzes around gardens and gardening. Entirely independent of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (though acting with its support), the Fringe explodes out of the showground geographically, demographically and conceptually. Events encompass everything from grassroots community garden projects to avant-garde art installations. The Chelsea Fringe is a community interest company (CIC) and was founded by Festival Director Tim Richardson. All progress to date has been achieved by a team of dedicated volunteers donating their time and money. Find out more at: www.chelseafringe.com or please contact Rosie Harkness: email: press@chelseafringe.com; phone: 07958 704266.