Transition Finsbury Park

Latest photos here

Steamy compost, soft topsoil, digging, pruning, mixing, forking…
apple trees, blackcurrant bushes, raspberry canes, thornless blackberries…
kids sifting soil, little wellies stomping, stomping, stomping, tiny buckets moving earth, yellow plastic trowels…
filled bagels, jam tarts, tea and more and more tea…
greengage, Victoria plum, one lone chokeberry, towers of rhubarb…
arms moving shovels, legs moving barrows, hands sifting earth…
a quiet chat, a little joke, a time to learn and listen…
gentle rain, warm breezes, the smell of earth, the stinky compost…
baby strawberries, herby herbs, random goji, grapes and gooseberries…

A dozen or so neighbourhood residents gathered together with at least as many children to fill the large planters that were built a few weeks ago at the Jamboree playhut in Finsbury Park. A few hours was spent heaving wheelbarrows with soil and compost, a job that was a really enjoyed by all of us for the sheer novelty of doing something with our bodies and the land. The kids enjoyed running up and down the earth pile and endlessly shoveling tiny trowels and buckets.

Jen and LauraA lunch break and tea break later, the planters were ready to plant with our mixture of trees (apple, plum and greengage), fruit bushes (black and redcurrant, gooseberry, goji berry, and chokeberry), fruit canes (raspberry and blackberry), and smaller edible plants (rhubarb, strawberry and herbs). A gentle rain helped to water in our dormant plants and refresh us all after a hard but fun day’s work.

WillA special thanks to everyone who supported the event and for the Jamboree staff who have helped to keep the kids entertained and keep the volunteers warm.

Interpretation boards and seasonal veg will be added to the area this spring to complete the project. Keep in touch to find out more information about these events.
Alex and Robynsteaming compost

• grow
• Jamboree