News | Aldersbrook Horticultural Society

Winners of First Prize!

Two members of the Aldersbrook Horticultural Society/Aldersbrook Medical Centre Patient Participation Group (AHS/AMC PPG) gardeners, were delighted to be invited to attend the Redbridge in Bloom Awards on September 26th at Valentine Mansion, Ilford.

Whilst the group were aware that they were finalist, it wasn’t until the dramatic announcements of, third, second and then, finally first that the two attendees realised that they were overall winners.

Jane and Alison of the AHS and AMC PPG groups were delighted to receive their Trowel Trophy, presented by Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Sheila Bain, as winners of the Best Community Display in Redbridge.

The origins of the group date back to 2018 when local residents, inspired by the Open Gardens event, formed the Aldersbrook Horticultural Society. Part of the AHS brief is community gardening. About the same time Richmond Road Gp Practice took on the contract for the Aldersbrook Medical Centre and our Gp services started to improve. Richmond Road also had a brief to engage with the local community and community groups to enhance health and well-being and a successful partnership was born.

The Aldersbrook Medical Centre garden has been transformed and is a welcoming front door to the Gp practice. After the lockdown of 2020/2021, trees were planted and a plaque installed in memory of those who had not survived COVID19.

We maintain the garden with monthly workshops run by our volunteer members.

Further to the post on 22 April this year, the plot on the corner of Blake Hall Road/ Blake Hall Crescent and Belgrave Road has developed even beyond our wildest expectations.

Redbridge Council issued us with a small bag of wildflower seeds which, after preparing the plot, we scattered.

The scattering of the seeds

Some of us were a little sceptical regarding how the rain garden/wildflower plot would develop. In order to make the plot look cared for, volunteers planted contributions from their own gardens. One of our volunteers provided signs and we kept a close eye on how the plot was being respected by the public.

Thanks also to the residents adjacent to the site, who were not originally part of the planting team but have offered the use of their water supply when needed.

The wet weather and the stony quality of the soil have proved to be the perfect combination for the wildflowers. Locals who travel past on the 101, W19 and 308 buses, have mentioned how lovely it looks.

Additionally, our gardening team was somewhat concerned during a heavy downpour as to whether the new drainage system, recently installed, would prove adequate. However, it coped well with the deluge of water, as seen in the photos.

The team continue to monitor the site and take pride in how the plot enhances the area. Bees and butterflies have been spotted which contributes to the wellbeing of our environment. The social interaction of not only the volunteer gardening group but others who have commented on the work is very positive in bringing people together.