CALLING ALL ENFIELD GARDENERS: On Sunday 28 November from 10 AM until about 3.30 PM, a range of people will be gathering at Tile Kiln Lane at the edge of Bowes ward (just SW of the A10/NCR junction, right next to Oakthorpe School on The Strays) to clear years of overgrown vegetation and convert current wasteland into an urban garden.

The Tile Kiln project - a brainchild of PCSO Sam Kifford with very strong support from local councillors Achilleas, Yasemin and me - aims to improve the physical environment of residents in a part of the ward that has little access to green space . Thus, above and beyond its role as a pilot ecological initiative, it also speaks to a social justice agenda.

Plans are also afoot to use the garden/biodiversity reserve/meadow space being developed to host schoolchildren and strengthen their sustainability curriculum. In short, this is a really good thing for lots of people.

Moreover, as long as we can get some of the grants being applied for, it will be a fantastic deal for ratepayers - as long as volunteers agree to muck in every now and again. Actually, that's the agenda on 28 November. The Council will provide tools (shovels, saws, bags, etc.) and probably a tent with coffee. Volunteers will provide the brawn. Already we've got offers of help from bodies such as the Enfield Conservation people; Southgate College; local Scouts groups...and maybe some Bowes and Bounds parents or kids who might be interested?

Otherwise, please note that within a few short months we are going to compile a few potential garden designs and open up a consultation where stakeholders can indicate their preference for Tile Kiln's ultimate layout.

In the mean time, it would be fantastic and much appreciated if volunteers from other parts of Bowes found a few hours on 28 November to get a bit muddy clearing brush, mowing grass, chopping wood.

Thanks for reading this and sharing it with other people who may be interested. Take care, Alan

Alan Sitkin
Cllr Bowes ward
Chair, Environmental Scrutiny Panel
(Ldn Borough of Enfield)