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.)
October 2013 Yet more strawbales donated! We decided to do an art installation
5th plinth
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
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 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.
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
Gratifyingly (& surprisingly), poems have been written about PCO:
This by Jackie, a visiting volunteer.
And in 2017, by local Jeff Probst:
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.
Alex's earthworks & sunny seat
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!
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: