Derelict wasteland in Hanwell transformed

The William Hobbayne Community Gardens (WHCG) were blessed with bright sunshine at a recent event to celebrate completion of work on the first phase of one of the largest Capital Growth Growing Spaces in London.

The site, sandwiched between St Margaret’s Road and the Grand Union Canal in Hanwell, has transformed a derelict wasteland into 55 thriving mini-allotments for local people.

Plot holders were joined by trustees from the William Hobbayne Trust, WHCG Committee members, Stephen Pound MP, Cllr Nigel Bakhai and representatives from the organisations who have provided funding and services to celebrate the transformation of the site and the installation of a water supply.

Work on the Community Gardens began in September 2009 when the site, which had been allotments in the 60s and 70s but been left to grow wild for many years, was leased to the William Hobbayne Trust by British Waterways and cleared by volunteers from various corporate bodies.

However, due to a series of legal, technical and fundraising hurdles, it took 2½ years to prepare the site for allocation to local residents. A photo display illustrated the key stages in the project and plot holders were keen to provide guests with a tour of the site. Since “boots on the ground” day in March, the Community Gardens had become a picture of abundance, with progress clearly visible to those using the towpath.

Transformation of the site would not have been possible without financial and physical support from British Waterways, Heathrow Community & Environmental Awards, Ealing Council, Capital Growth, Pathways, Bovis/Lend Lease, Thames 21, Sky, and Starbucks Coffee.

The project is far from complete, and work will continue to clear more ground for ten additional growing spaces, a wildlife corridor and, when the weather improves, installation of beehives which will be maintained by some of the plot holders who are receiving training on beekeeping from a local beekeeper. Speaking on behalf of the William Hobbayne Community Gardens Committee, Les Wallis (pictured far right) said “although this project took much longer than anticipated to prepare, it is so satisfying to see this site once again being cultivated by and for the benefit of local people”.

Elaine Hill
William Hobbayne Community Gardens Association

18th July 2012