If you've wandered through Lloyd Park and stopped to admire a flower bed, you may have a small group of neighbours to thank.
About a dozen volunteers meet regularly all year round to look after the park's historic gardens in Walthamstow. Groundwork London has been highlighting their work. They take on the gardening jobs each season brings, guided by community gardener Saira.
Four decades of local knowledge
Ian brings forty years of local knowledge to the group. He studied ecology and worked in local authority planning, focusing on tree preservation. When he retired ten years ago, he joined the Lloyd Park team.
For Ian, the friendships that come with volunteering matter as much as the work. "Making a small difference chuffs me no end," he said.
A mother and son in the flower beds
Sandra and Clifford, a mother and son, have both done horticultural training. Sandra joined the group twelve years ago and Clifford has volunteered for ten.
Sandra used to make shirts for a living. Volunteering has let her follow a love of gardening she has had all her life. "It's beautiful when you've been working on a flower bed," she said. "You can step back and think, 'This is what we've created.'"
Room for more
The group welcomes new people who want to learn about plants, meet others in the community and do something for the area. You can find out more through Groundwork London.
