Template:Courier-OCT-25-20a
GORDON ROAD COMMUNITY GARDEN IN FULL BLOOM
The official opening of the community garden at the corner of Gordon Road and Albany Crescent gave residents an extra reason to celebrate at their annual street party. The garden was created and planted in 2024 after a mature, but diseased, red oak tree on the site was taken down by Surrey County Council in 2022-leaving an ugly stump surrounded by equally ugly broken Tarmac.
The process-clearing the site and making it ready for planting, securing approval and supplying a legal Indemnity to Surrey Highways-took nearly two years. Bulbs, planted by pupils from Rowan Preparatory School, and shrubs, planted by residents, went In just before the onset of winter 2024.
After a colourful spring show of daffodils and snowdrops, the shrubs and perennials were starting to fill out the empty spaces by June, with a riat of colour, shapes and forms. Gordon Road residents gathered around the garden at their June event to drink its health and hear a few words from Ken Kilmister, Chairman of Claygate Gardening Society and leader of the Gordon Road gardening squad, thanking those who made it possible.
Residents of Gordon Road contributed to the cost, with generous sponsorship from Rowan Preparatory School, and indemnity cover from Claygate Village Association.
The event was tinged with sadness, however, as Mark Sugden, Claygate's representative on Surrey County Council, died just days before its official opening. Mark would have been the guest of honour, as without his lobbying, determination and funding the project might not have come to fruition. A plaque at the garden records these contributions.
During the dry summer, the garden squad watered plants regularly, initially with buckets until a generous nearby resident offered a hosepipe connection. A garden, however, is always "work in progress". There will be repair and maintenance jobs, and casualties to replace, but the garden is now well established and appreciated by all who pass by or linger on the bench to admire the view.
