Gardens for the community

Judith Wade talks with Linda Wade, photographer and graphic designer

JW: When and how did you become interested in gardens?
LW: My childhood memories are set against a backdrop of grandparents who were gardeners, each with their own style and interest. My paternal grandmother was passionate about her herbaceous borders; my maternal grandfather about dahlias and chrysanthemums and my maternal grandmother was the kitchen gardener.

JW: Can you list some of the publications on gardens and landscape architecture that you have contributed to making as a graphic designer and as a photographer?
LW: Follies of Europe: Architectural Extravaganzas, and many others

JW: Why do you consider gardens an asset for the community?
LW: Gardens come in very many different forms from the well-maintained civil gardens designed to serve many needs of the public, through to the private gated garden squares that London is particularly famous for, to the window box – all contribute to community-making and making an area ''green'', special, having that ''looked after'' feel.

JW: As a councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea what have been the projects that you feel will have a long-term benefit for the environment?
LW: Bringing in residents through volunteering scheme to improve the area that they live in with support and advice, encouraging community development with neighbour getting to know neighbour has helped with neglected areas helped develop a sense of ownership of where they live.

JW: How difficult was it regaining space that was a no-man's land? Has planting flowers proved to dissuade people from dumping trash?
LW: Once an area has been identified, a plan of action is generated, with clearing the ground, preparing the area, and then designing the planting area with a combination of flowering plants, herbs, and vegetables. In highly polluted areas trying to incorporate a high level of pollinators. In the first instance it is a case of changing attitudes to the area, particularly if it has a long-established reputation for dumping, this can be done by changing the colour of the wall, or just routine litter picking, once the vegetation is full and tended, the problem tends to diminish.

JW: Up till now the priority for public spending on gardens has been the organisation and costs of their maintenance. The emphasize is now trying to find a relevant reason for the community to use it. Can you share with us some of the ideas you have implemented?
LW: Space, since the pandemic, has become such a precious commodity that there is an increased value placed on it. Communities are diverse and have different demands on any civic space whether it is a quiet place for someone to sit and read, or children to play safely. So, any space whatever size needs to be assessed by what the expectation of usage will be, who will use it and therefore who might be engaged to support the maintenance of the space.
Smaller plots can be installed as part of health and wellbeing programmes to encourage socialisation as in Hospitals, Residential Homes or Mental Health Units. Or if pocket park sizes could be used as kitchen gardens, again to support health and wellbeing and providing the possibility of engaging with minority groups (ethnic/age) as part of a messaging strategy and countering isolation.

JW: Has the fact that you have involved different ethnic groups into using public space helped concretely maintain land that was neglected?
LW: The ethnic groups that I have worked with are predominantly Arabic Speaking Ladies, they are mostly from low-income households and so growing salads, vegetables, and herbs improves their diet and reduces costs. They enjoy getting together and it's a great way of identifying problems in a casual way, such as housing, health and housing that can be taken up at a higher level.

JW: Is growing fresh vegetables in centre of London helped educate people to have a healthier diet?
LW: It's more about trying to incorporate healthier food into diet, and so education by an indirect method. Kale for example is easy to grow, good for you and can bulk out what you are cooking. Also, it is about introducing Children to the concept of where food comes from and not just from packets.

JW: I was fascinated to learn how many locals stand in to give a hand in planting and watering public gardens. What was the key to getting them involved?
LW: With Community Projects if you get a couple of committed ''leaders'' then they effectively take over the project and then the project develops according to how they think – sometimes with some interesting surprises, but it works because it reflects them, and not imposed.

JW: Which is your favourite garden in England, which is the next garden you would like to visit in Italy?
LW: A very difficult answer, there are so many, but Shute House by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe must be one of the most interesting. In Italy, I would like to continue exploring some of the Sicilian gardens, such as Giardino del Balio, Erice but there are just so many to choose from in Italy one is spoilt for choice.