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From a car park roof to the Chelsea Flower Show
Posted on 26 April 2023
CONTACTCONTACTLive on television for BBC Breakfast, TV presenter and furniture restorer Jay Blades unveiled eight upcycled metal garden chairs plus a highchair in vibrant pops of colour designed for the London Square Community Garden at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
Interviewed at his Jay & Co workshop at Maws Craft Centre in Ironbridge, Shropshire, Jay Blades talked about his excitement at being part of the London Square Community Garden at Chelsea.
"Green spaces are essential for everyone at every age. It's brilliant to have the opportunity to collaborate with London Square on this garden. I encourage all of you to get outside whenever you can and experience the peace and joy that green spaces bring."
Jay Blades
The bespoke chairs will be centre-stage in the seating area around a communal table in designer James Smith’s community garden, demonstrating the power of a garden to bring people together.
“We were so inspired by the volunteers we met at Doddington that we decided to sponsor a garden at Chelsea. We want to show visitors to Chelsea the power of a communal green space to connect people and to provide an escape and enjoy nature in the middle of the capital - and how similar spaces could be created in our cities and towns through clever design, in all kinds of settings."
Jo McDonagh, Sales and Marketing Director, London Square
The inspiration for the London Square Community Garden started across the river in London's Battersea. Hidden away between tower blocks on the top of a former car park on the Doddington and Rollo estate is a half-acre secret garden created by volunteers. It has been built almost entirely with donated plants, trees, and shrubs, compost and tools, from places such as Kew Gardens and nearby Battersea Park.
The Doddington and Rollo garden took part in last year's Open Gardens Weekend, which London Square had sponsored. The garden is a green oasis all year round, blooming with spring and summer flowers and produce, with edible crops, butterfly friendly plants, and fig, cherry and apple trees. Local residents grow produce for their own use and also share it out - anything from cauliflowers, cabbages, pumpkins and leeks to chillis, ginger and turmeric. The garden is a place to meet, to escape to and to discover the joy of growing plants and food - providing a haven for everyone. Below the garden in the converted car park is a space occupied by a food bank and by STORM, a charity which provides support for victims and their families affected by domestic violence, and offers training services to young and older people, including a lunch club for the elderly. The Queen Consort visited STORM recently and praised the charity for its work in the local community.
After Chelsea, the life cycle of the garden will continue, with key elements of the London Square Community Garden relocated to the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden in Battersea, reflecting London Square’s commitment to promoting the importance of green spaces for local communities.
Find the London Square Community Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show May 23 to 27 May 2023.
Read the full story on the Mail Online Here
Posted on 26 April 2023
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