Even more stuff
In which chapter will be found: The rise & fall of the strawbale sofa; The 5th Plinth; The Path; The Willow Den; The Big Lunch; Visitors; The Poetry; Spare fruit; Contemplation Corner; Urban Food Fortnight; The Mural?
The rise & fall of the strawbale sofa
In Summer 2012 we built a rather comfy sofa. It was very popular. Children from local nurseries queued up to have their photos taken on it!
But then strange & off-putting deposits started appearing, which turned out to be 'Dog Vomit' slime mould. So it had to go, and was rebuilt as a leaf mould container. (We downgraded to a flatpack cardboard sofa.)
The 5th Plinth
October 2013 Yet more strawbales donated! We decided to do an art installation
5th plinth
The Path
A quagmire every winter. But then along came Patrick2 with inspiration, determination & brawn, and laid stepping stones. Thank you to the neighbours who donated the slabs.
From sad & slippy to smiles & sunshine
The opening ceremony
The Willow Den
In 2016, we upgraded the front window from discarded picture frame to old wheel rim
One of our earliest volunteers pops back!
The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch is a nation-wide community picnic every June.
Our 2013 picnic was a wash-out, but 2014, 2015 & 2016 were great, with lovely weather, lovely people, live music from Stacey & freshly picked PCO salad.
Visitors
There are 3 nursery schools within a few minutes of the garden, so lots of kids come to plant & browse.
Apple pressing
Lots of folk dance round our Mulberry - not just the kids!
In June 2015 Islington Art Society created some beautiful pictures in the garden, and even helped us make lunch. Read more on their MakingArtInThePark blog
The Poetry
Gratifyingly (& surprisingly), poems have been written about PCO:
This by Jackie, a visiting volunteer.
And in 2017, by local Jeff Probst:
Spare fruit
PCO's situation on a busy corner by a bus stop means that it's a great place to give away surplus fruit & other stuff.
Contemplation Corner
Alex's earthworks & sunny seat
Urban Food Fortnight
In 2013 & 2014 We joined Sustain's celebration of Urban Food Fortnight by providing herbal teas for Syl's café across the road. I don't think anyone except us ever ordered them!
The Mural?
In September 2013 an electricity substation landed on Priory Common Orchard. We'd like to get a mural painted on it, but would need £300 - £500 to pay the artist.
Watch this space, as they say..
Example of a mural in another community garden:
