October News from the Garden
September has been a busy month of watering cans, bee walks, Poetry in the Park, a new Nature Library by the welcome board, an Equinox Bioblitz in the wildlife area (more below on this!) and winning Small Park of the Year in London in Bloom 2026. Yes, you did read that correctly! The dedication of our blooming brilliant community - including neighbours, council officers, local organisations, businesses and universities - all coming together to care for the garden - was described as "extraordinary" by the judging panel and we would agree! You are all extraordinary - not only taking the time to pause and enjoy the park in the middle of one of the world's busiest cities, but going the extra mile to support its care, community and nature conservation projects. Thank you everyone for generously donating your time, resources, funding, expertise, plants and books to create and care for a truly extraordinary green space, right here on our doorstep.
Little Nature Library supported by Pan Macmillan
New 30 minute Tuesday Tidy Sessions start this week ...
It's been a real pleasure to talk to lots of people from local businesses in the last few weeks and I've been asked a few times about the possibility of starting a new weekday volunteering session to complement Friday's Open Toolshed - a midweek moment for people on their way to showrooms, studios, shared spaces and offices in the neighbourhood. Soooo...starting this Tuesday 9am-9.30am we'll be running a Tuesday Tidy Session for people who'd like to help out in the garden and connect with nature on their way to work (or the coffee shop!) without breaking a sweat or getting their clothes dirty. Everyone is welcome and no gardening experience is required. We'll provide gloves - just bring yourself. You'll have the option to water plants, sweep paths, wipe signs, tidy dead hedges, pick litter etc and there's no need to sign up in advance. Even dropping by for 5 minutes will have a big impact on the park and a boost for your wellbeing too
Volunteers helping keep the garden beautiful!
Also happening in the garden this month...
October's Community Gardening is next Saturday, 10am-12pm, with kickass coffee hosted by our lovely neighbours at Camino afterwards. Come for as long as you want and say hi if you're passing through :)
It's not too late to sign up for Fran's Bloody Smithfield Walk on Thursday October 22nd and the Clerkenwell Community Orchard training programme is kicking off this Monday at The Charterhouse. There are just a couple of spaces left for each and details are attached below.
As part of the Clerkenwell Pollinator Path, we're planting 20 pollinator pit stops across the neighbourhood this autumn and spring. Last week we were in the Edible Yard at St Luke's, this week we were outside the Tescos on Central St, and next week we're at the Brunswick Close Estate - you can sign up here to join in the planting session.