Redbridge’s green fingered community hit the ground digging for a weekend of ‘Big Planting’ fun

Gardening enthusiasts across Redbridge joined together for a weekend of ‘Big Planting’ fun after Redbridge Council gave away thousands of spring flowering bulbs to get the borough blooming.

50,000 spring-flowering bulbs were delivered to the community earlier this year under the council’s ‘Big Bulb Giveaway’, culminating in the borough’s annual ‘Big Planting Weekend’.

Individuals, families, schools and community groups who successfully applied for the free bulbs took to green spaces and community gardens around the borough to plant them for the Big Planting Weekend, held Oct 15-17.

The much-loved initiative, run under the council’s Our Streets Strategy, brought out budding gardeners young and old.

The pay-off for their collective planting efforts will come in spring when the bulbs flower and help spruce up neighbourhoods around the borough with bursts of vibrant colours.

St Paul’s Church in Goodmayes was among the groups who took part.

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.”

In total 140 community groups, schools, gardening groups, religious organisations and Scout/Guide groups planted bulbs from the giveaway in communal spaces around Redbridge, which could be enjoyed by the public when they bloom in spring.

Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses, Snowdrops and English Bluebell bulbs were among those planted.

Funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the Big Bulb Giveaway has blossomed 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.

Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “It is wonderful to see so many local people and community groups from all over the borough getting involved in Redbridge’s annual Big Planting Weekend to plant the 50,000 bulbs given to the community through the council’s Big Bulb Giveaway. Not only is gardening brilliant for mental wellbeing, but the bulbs will also brighten up our local area in the spring and boost the borough’s biodiversity.”

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 skills to get Redbridge blooming in time for spring. 

“As part of our on-going commitment to creating greener and more biodiverse spaces around the borough, we gave away an extra10,000 flowering bulbs this year in our hugely popular Big Bulb Giveaway.

“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 in the Big Planting Weekend.”

Find out more about the Community Infrastructure Levy here 

(ENDS)