Albany Crescent
| H I N C H L E Y W O O D | ||||||||
| E | 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C |
| S | 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H |
| H | 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E |
| E | 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S |
| R | 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N | |
| O X S H O T T | ||||||||
March 2025
GREAT TEAMWORK BRINGS NEW LIFE TO CORNER SITE
The residents of Gordon Road woke up two years ago this month to the sound of a chain saw and were dismayed to see the beautiful 120-year-old Red Oak tree, on the triangle of land at the junction of Gordon Road and Albany Crescent, being taken down because it was found to be diseased.
It left a large stump surrounded by old tarmac, blighting the entrance to the road. Surrey County Council said the stump would normally be left to rot away and the pavement repaired around it, but the residents of Gordon Road saw an opportunity – to make a garden.
With the enthusiastic support of everyone involved, Surrey Highways Department was asked if a new tree could be planted within a community garden, paid for by the residents, and a “garden committee” was set up. Mark Sugden, Claygate’s County Councillor, a keen gardener himself, took up the case and, with some lobbying and the commitment of funds at his disposal, Surrey Highways was persuaded to remove the stump and the old Tarmac, re-lay the pavement, including edging stones to define a triangular bed, and plant a new tree. With advice from Vanessa Relleen, one of Claygate's tree wardens and a trustee of Claygate Village Association, a maple was chosen.
Five months later, the stump had been removed, the new tree planted in a prepared tree pit, and the area repaved, with edging. But the massive oak roots remained in the ground making further planting impossible and the project came to a halt. After six more months of debate, Surrey agreed to remove the roots, too.
The soil, having been under tarmac for generations, was impoverished and full of crushed stones and it took a huge amount of digging and sifting, and the addition of one tonne each of topsoil and soil improver, plus compost and fertiliser, to make it plantable by summer last year. Even then, nothing was simple: the corner was owned by Surrey Highways and a “licence to cultivate” was required, at a cost of £88 and a requirement that the licensee provide public liability insurance of £5m, totally beyond residents' resources. But Claygate Village Association came to the rescue by volunteering to be the licensee: it already had liability cover for its various activities.
To avoid missing the bulb planting season, a work party of children from Rowan Preparatory School enthusiastically planted a sackful of daffodils and snowdrops in October, but time was now running short to buy other plants and get them in the ground before the cold weather. Rachel Jones, a local garden designer, contacted her wholesaler and, just days before torrential rain and a cold snap, residents dug in the plants.
It took 18 months and a lot of perseverance and is a great example of a community pulling together: Councillor Sugden navigated Surrey bureaucracy and the preparatory work, as well as providing finance; Gordon Road residents chipped in most of the cost, with additional sponsorship from Rowan School; and the CVA provided public liability cover.
The garden committee thanks Surrey County Council for its co-operation, and all those who made it possible. The garden will be maintained by the garden committee with the assistance of other residents.
The committee comprised Ken Kilmister (Chairman of Claygate Gardening Society), Jenny Gray, Colleen Rose, Hilary Goodban, Kathryn Adams (with generous digging and planting help from Mark and Anne Good, Roger Hargreaves, Roman Shapiro, Thiery Limouzin and Tim Lovett (non-resident!).
Magnolia House № 16
ADDRESS: Magnolia House, 16 Albany Crescent
|
