Save our Street Planters came out of a real sadness about the state of the planters around our area. My aim was to make them look lovely again, but this needed to be with the support of the community, and had to be sustainable. I have been responsible for 24 planters on Woodgrange and Romford Roads, Earlham Grove and Upton Lane.
It’s easy to think that simply tidying, planting and watering, is the answer, but there has been a lot more to it, depending on where the planters are. One example is the Co-op planter:
Small bench for people to hang out + no bin = planter is the bin.
So I asked the council Highways team if they could source a bin for me. It eventually came, the day before my funding ended. Thank you, Schez [senior council worker]. That planter can breath again.
Bins are not always the answer, though. Changing peoples habits is key.
Over the year myself and other volunteers have chatted to those we’ve seen littering or spitting. We’ve also had great conversations with passers by, who have been kind and encouraging and appreciative of what we are doing.
We have done other things to encourage better behaviour. I’ve tried various types of cigarette bins, starting with soup tins, so the planter doesn’t become an ashtray. We now have bins which seem to be working.
Fun signage was made by children. Many youngsters have made encouraging, positive wooden posters for me. These have helped. It’s still not perfect, but it has definitely changed some behaviour. We also made signs in different languages to prevent spitting.
I didn’t want to simply buy lots of plants and bulbs. I wanted the community involved in looking after them too. I was able to do this in a number of cases. I also got donations of free plants wherever I could, including from the Co-op, and I collected lots of local seeds.
To clear up the planters and then maintain them, I was able to get help from corporate groups, local scouts, a mosque, schools, council groups and individual volunteers. Once cleared the beautifying could begin, and the plants went in.
Summer came and the weather got very hot and I needed to come up with ideas to keep the plants hydrated. I invested in a large portable water tank, which is now kept in the community garden. And is there to be used by the community as a whole. For the larger planters, I chatted with the nearest shop keepers. They were keen to support the project, and agreed to water the planters each morning when needed.
The key has been making people aware that the planters are being cared for. It seems to make them feel differently towards them. Getting locals to support with planting, clearing, watering, propagating and signage, gives them a sense that they are doing something for the community, and gives them ownership over the planters.
The best part of this project, has been meeting and working with the variety of adults and children, over 100 in total, from all parts of the community. It has been great fun and extremely satisfying and most certainly won’t end here. Through Forest Gate Community Garden, we will continue to maintain the planters, and to engage with the community as we do so.
As someone said to me in the summer:
‘I wanted those planters gone, as they were so awful to see everyday. Now they make me smile’.
Beautiful planters, community involvement and sustainable!
Job done!! And I loved it’
If anyone would like to support with them this year let me know.
Fiona Leckenby