The Sensible Garden
There was once an unloved piece of ground between the high street and the railway track in South Norwood, and on it stood a dilapidated bench.
The South Norwood Tourist Board - a great bunch of people who promote local history to attract visitors into the area and thus benefit the local economy - felt something needed to be done. They decided to repair the bench and ask punk legend Captain Sensible, who attended the school opposite, to unveil a plaque proclaiming it the Sensible Seat, to turn it from an eyesore into an attraction. The idea then expanded to transforming the entire site and Croydon Councillor Jane Avis invited us to help. So, working in partnership with SNTB, our Palace Pick-up volunteers cleared tons of litter and debris, including old mattresses, baths and even toilets! We then drafted in our growers, who cut back the undergrowth, strimmed, raked, laid paths, created beds, built planters and did lots of planting including an edible hedge. We also did some painting and community art. And the result was the transformation of a derelict fly tip into a beautiful community garden!
On 26 July 2014 Captain Sensible duly unveiled his splendid new seat, amidst much celebration, music and beer! Our lovely new garden now needs maintaining and watering. If you'd like to help, please contact Robbie on 07748 182234 or keep an eye on our Facebook page |