Surrey joins Europe to host conference

The European Gardens Heritage Network is holding a one-day conference at the Royal Horticultural Society site at Wisley, Surrey, on Friday 14th March. Chaired by LPGT secretary Mike Dawson, the conference will cover:

• Sustainability: economic; social; environmental
• Gardens as destinations and gateways

The conference will:

• Showcase examples of good practice across the European regions
• Identify practice that could be applied to other places
• Explore how issues could be addressed (eg through funding bids, European networks etc)
• Promote parks and gardens as resources for the community

In the afternoon, six workshops will allow delegates to discuss topics covered by speakers in plenary sessions. There will also be an opportunity to tour the RHS site.

The following organizations are hosting the conference:

• European Gardens Heritage Network
• Surrey County Council
• Royal Horticultural Society
• Surrey Gardens Trust

The European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) is a project involving partners from Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the UK. It is seeking to promote the social, cultural, economic and environmental contribution parks and gardens make to the regions of North West Europe.

EGHN is seeking particular recognition for the contribution gardens make to the “soft infrastructure”, which is increasingly credited with attracting inward-investment (for example through business relocation or tourism). The Network wants this recognition to be reflected in the prominence parks and gardens are given in local, regional and transnational plans and spatial strategies.

At the same time, the Network wants to redress the perception that gardens are only for an elite audience and promote and develop their value as resources for the whole community.

Further information:

• Programme
• Booking Form
• European Gardens Heritage Network

Bucket & Spade Work in Fulham

Local residents have persuaded Hammersmith & Fuilham to re-create a Victorian beach in Bishop's Park. Parks development manager Rob Kelly said: "This idea came from the park's supporters, and it's proof that, by asking people what they'd like, it can work out in the real world. "We've unearthed photos that show what looks like a real bit of seaside beach which was nicknamed 'Fulharn's Margate Beach' - as a bit of a joke, I suppose. It was 100 years ago, and it existed in the long stretch of parkland beside Fulharn Palace Road." "The idea is to use remains of the old layout to re-create that scene. With all the right safety features, this will be a unique project," said Mr Kelly. Amanda Lloyd-Harris, the chair of Bishop's Park Residents' Association is growing impatient, however. She said residents were tired of waiting for the long-delayed funding to come through from the council. "Perhaps at last, after so many consultations, we are getting to crunch time," she said. "We've got to have action now and no more words." ClIr Paul Bristow , the cabinet member for residents' services, endorsed the practice of involving local people in plans for improving the parks. He said there were some costly projects in the pipeline where getting local ideas was vital. "Just for a start, there will be £3.3 million to spend on new avenues and tree-lined spaces for Shepherd's Bush Green," he said. "We're getting as many ideas in from the community as they can generate. I believe this way we get the parks that people really want." Another part of the "democratic parklands" scheme is to make the borough's parks less feared. "People become intimidated by street drinkers and youths hanging about," said ClIr Bristow. "We're all keen that people aren't frightened to go in areas that should be for relaxation." As a result, the friends group in Margravine Cemetery in Hammersmith has started an action plan, moving railings, restoring stonework and opening up old pathways. Mr Kelly added: "There are more and more of these schemes. It's a whole heap better than blokes in grey suits sitting in offices and trying to have good ideas."

Cereal Drama in St John's Wood

A park in St John's Wood is undergoing a dramatic change, with the sowing of winter wheat and barley. As part of Westminster Council's move to brighten up its parks and open spaces, parks manager John Tweddle has looked back at his days managing farmland in East Anglia. "After they tempted me away from managing 1,000 acres, I kept the image of lovely, rolling fields rippling with their crops," said Mr Tweddle. "Daft though it sounds, one of Westminster's managers from the north of the borough has picked up on my memories and he's going to surprise everyone." The manager in question is Barry Haynes, manager of St John's Church Park in Wellington Place. "It's wonderful to be asked to come up with new ideas," said Mr Haynes. "The world of plants can offer far more than the catalogues tell you. I thought we could try some actual farming crops to remind townspeople there is another world far out of town. "Winter wheat and barley - just like the crops in East Anglian farmlands - are my bright idea, and I'm planting the seeds shortly. When the wheat and the barley have sprouted and grown and are waving in the wind, they should look very fine. A slice of old country ways you could say."