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London Road Station Partnership. Elspeth Broady and Madeleine Cary http://londonrdstationpartnership.wordpress.com/. Vision. Engagement. Confidence. s mall suburban station just outside centre of Brighton b uilt 1877, residential area of similar period
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London Road Station Partnership Elspeth Broady and Madeleine Cary http://londonrdstationpartnership.wordpress.com/
Vision Engagement Confidence
small suburban station just outside centre of Brighton • built 1877, residential area of similar period • 475,000 journeys annually, local and regional commuting • local focus: bridge is a thoroughfare to local school, successful local pubs either side • much loved by locals, but concerns about graffiti and use of land sold for development
London Road Station Partnership • set up through residents’ association in April 2011 • to transform two plots of waste land
now also community composting and graffiti ‘Bridgewatch’ • 10 core gardeners, up to 20 composters and many ‘friends’
Vision • An initial plan that gets people going create two gardens, develop a historical display • Examples for inspiration a visit to Plumpton Station Partnership ‘Harvest’ demonstration edible garden in local park • Ideas developing organically ‘why don’t we use that area for composting?’ • Ambition ‘let’s go for ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ registration’
Engagement • Essential! Open, inclusive and accepting – taking what comes • Social focus: having tea together, outings, Harvest supper • Communication: ‘Open door’, e-mail, posters, blog • Events with local community: street party, Mini-orchard planting, Garden Gadabout charity event • Businesses, Council, organisations: sponsorship, support, grants
Confidence • Support from Sussex Community Rail Partnership • Trust, encouragement and enthusiasm from Southern Railways • Opportunities to learn via our community association networks and links with other community gardens • Involvement of local Councillors • Successful applications for funding and sponsorship • Response from our local community: people chatting, visiting, ‘owning’ the gardens
As an example … • Video of Mini-orchard planting event • Collaboration with Brighton Permaculture Trust and Action for Rural Sussex • Planting of 7 fruit trees - 4 local Sussex varieties- and an apple-based lunch • Around 50 people attended, including ward Councillor, local MP and local publican • http://londonrdstationpartnership.wordpress.com/