November 2024
Dear Cornwall Gardens Key Holder and/or Resident
GARDEN IMPROVEMENT PLAN – PROGRESS AND UPDATE
In this bulletin, we are focusing on the Garden Improvement Plan overall and also have pleasure in inviting you to the Central Garden at 11 am on 12 November and 16 November for an in-person presentation. Please see details below.
New Planting and Other Works on the Eastern Border, Central Garden (Phase 1)
As you can see from the photo above, there are large gaps in the Eastern Border of Central which, along with the leaf bags being stored there, is an eyesore and compromises the privacy and security of garden users. With the near-completion of the garden and kitchen waste recycling project this year, David is now in a position to improve the border and stretch and strengthen the fence. Please find a proposed schedule of works prepared by David here, drawing inspiration from Carola’s presentation board. The maximum total cost of the proposed improvement to the Eastern Border is estimated to be approximately £25k. It forms Phase 1.
New Planting and Other Works on Mound and Adjacent Beds, Central Garden (Phase 2)
In-Garden Presentation - Central Garden, Tuesday, 12 November 2024 at 11 am and
Saturday, 16 November 2024 at 11 am
Further to the bulletin sent out on 14 October 2024 launching a consultation on our proposals to improve the Mound and adjacent beds, which has been led by Management Committee member Carola Enrich (a landscape architect and key holder), Carola has since prepared the presentation board here with more detailed information for you to consider.
Carola will be delighted to see you in the Central Garden to discuss the proposal further on Tuesday, 12 November at 11 am and Saturday, 16 November at 11 am. David Ashton, our Gardener, will also be available at those times. Both will be pleased to deal with any issues or questions. Other members of the Management Committee will be present.
The maximum total cost of the proposed new planting and other works to the Mound and Adjacent Beds is estimated to be approximately in the range of £40k to £50k depending on the outcome of the consultation on the content and extent of the new planting and whether the option to install a sandpit and/or play equipment is taken up. Whatever is decided, this forms Phase 2.
Budget 2023/24 and 2024/25 and Estimate of Costs
£35k had been conservatively budgeted for Major Projects for 2023/24 at the AGM in January of this year. A similar amount should be anticipated for the 2024/25 budget bringing the total budgeted amount over two financial years for both phases of the Improvement Plan to around £70k, plus £5k for a contingency such as inflation.
Feedback and Process Following In-Garden Presentations on 12 and 16 November
The Management Committee would like to express its thanks to those of you who have already been in touch with your comments and feedback on the proposal, and also, in anticipation of more comments and feedback from you both before, during and after the above presentation dates. Nothing is ruled in or ruled out and your comments and feedback will be important in informing the decisions the Management Committee will take at its next scheduled quarterly meeting on Wednesday, 27 November 2024 for approval at the AGM on Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
You can continue to write or phone the Chairman (John Varley), Secretary (Alan Lester) and/or Carola direct, using any or all of the contact details below, and speak to them or any other member of the Management Committee you may know in person, with your comments and feedback. Emails sent to info@cornwallgardens.org are forwarded to the Management Committee by the website administrator and so there may be a short time lag before they are seen.
Garden and Kitchen Waste Recycling Project
Please see photo below of the three bunkers for recycling green waste and the smaller matching kitchen waste bunkers alongside replacing the two black plastic composters. Each has since been transferred to a discrete corner of the West and East Gardens. Garden users therefore now have a choice where to deposit kitchen waste for composting.
The accumulated bags of leaves in the West and Central Gardens will be transferred to the leaf recycling operation at the western end of Central thereby freeing up bed space for new planting. David has been authorised to acquire an electric leaf vacuum and shredder to avoid creating dust clouds or excessive noise when in use.
Tree Pruning
The trees on the Mound and along the Eastern Border have now been pruned thereby introducing more light onto the ground below to improve the growing conditions for the new planting along with better irrigation and enriched soil. Please see the photo below showing the greater area of light penetration to the Mound and Eastern Border. At present nothing at ground level grows properly or at all but with the additional light, extended irrigation and enriched soil, growing conditions should improve.
An Announcement from Shakespeare in the Squares
Shakespeare in the Squares is delighted to announce its inaugural winter season, an all-new production of Macbeth infused with wicked music and devilishly good tunes. Macbeth will be directed by Sioned Jones, who has directed our last three summer shows. The tour will run 7th - 30th November, with over 20 performances at indoor venues across London. The performances on Friday 8th November will take place at Christ Church Kensington W8, which venue sits just above Cornwall Gardens to the north.
Tickets available at shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk/tickets
Shakespeare in the Squares will also be performing a Shakespeare play in the Gardens of Cornwall Gardens in the Summer, date and play to be confirmed.
John Varley
Chairman, Cornwall Gardens Management Committee
07775 552050
Alan Lester
Secretary, Cornwall Gardens Management Committee
07816 324335
Carola Enrich
Landscape Architect, Cornwall Gardens Management Committee
07572 546026
