Redbridge’s green fingered community helps get the borough blooming for spring
Published: 24 May 2022
Local gardening enthusiasts who took part in a Redbridge Council led community planting initiative have helped bring the borough to bloom.
Thousands of beautiful flowers have been popping up in green spaces around the borough thanks to the collective efforts of those who took part in Redbridge Council’s ‘Big Bulb Giveaway’, which saw the council give out 50,000 bulbs to the community for free to be planted in time for the buds to bloom in spring.
Individuals, families, schools and community groups planted the bulbs late last year in communal spaces and community gardens around Redbridge, which have since blossomed, adding splashes of colour to neighbourhoods.
Since coming to bloom local people have been sharing snaps of the vibrant selection of flowers which have included Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses, Snowdrops and English Bluebell bulbs
Resident Umar Khan, from Hainault, was among those who successfully applied for the free bulbs and has shared images of his flowers on social media.
Mr Khan said: “I love gardening and this was such a fantastic initiative to get involved with as it brings out community spirit. I spent over six weeks planting hundreds of bulbs, and they looked stunning in bloom. It was a talking point in the community, and I got to know more people in the neighbourhood as they stopped by to chat to me about it as I was planting and watering them. I think it made people happy seeing the flowers as they walked by.”
Parents, staff, and school children from Gearies Primary School in Gants Hill were also enjoying seeing their flowers bloom.
A staff member from the school’s nursery said: “From the children and staff at the Nursery in Gearies Primary School we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the wonderful bulbs kindly donated. They have brought so much joy to children, parents, and staff. They have been the talk of the school for the last few weeks!"
St Paul’s Church in Goodmayes was also among the groups who took part. At the time of planting the bulbs the Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Rev'd Janet Buchan, said: “It’s our first year taking part. We have a fairly uninspiring bit of space around the church, and I thought this initiative is a wonderful way to brighten it up for the community and bring some cheer. It’s good for people to see things growing and flourishing and will hopefully inspire younger children to also take an interest in growing things as they walk by and see it.”
Funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the Big Bulb Giveaway is now in its third year and has grown into one of Redbridge’s most popular gardening initiatives amongst residents, and is also part of the council’s on-going work to create a greener and more biodiverse borough.
Among the public spaces benefiting from the project this year are the Square Garden in Cranbrook, Loxford community garden, Wanstead community gardens, schools, churches, Islamic centres, and children’s centres.
Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai, said: “From budding young gardeners to green fingered experts – we’ve had a brilliant show of support across all ages and gardening skill levels to get Redbridge blooming in time for spring, and the results are fantastic! It’s been wonderful seeing the flowers adding splashes of colour to neighbourhoods in the borough.
“I wanted to ensure the Community Infrastructure Levy funds were used on something which benefitted the whole of Redbridge and brought a little colour into all of our lives. A big thank you to everyone who took part.”
Find out more about the Community Infrastructure Levy here
(ENDS)
