Launch event this Easter for refreshed community garden space in Tottenham

Markfield Community Garden has been revitalised thanks to lottery funding

Roots and Rebels at Markfield Community Garden — Roots and Rebels is taking place at Markfield Community Garden

Easter Monday signals the start of a programme of events and community activities to relaunch the Markfield Community Garden.

Originally built following the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023, a ‘Mushroom Den’ and pond were transported to the Markfield Park so that “future generations could enjoy the space, interact with nature and learn how to grow food”.

This year, there has been a concerted effort to revitalise the growing spaces by the Friends of Markfield Park group, in conjunction with Jon Davies and Steve Williams from Wild City Studios, the designers of the Chelsea garden, with funding from the National Lottery-funded Awards for All scheme.

In the run up to the event, pupils from local schools Gladesmore Secondary, Crowland Primary and Springfield have been invited to design a large letter M, C, or G that will become part of a permanent artwork on the wall at Markfield Community Garden.

Students are using their designs to explore what Haringey means to them; the importance of green spaces and nature; community, creativity, and self-expression; and how they visually represent their connection to their local area.

Designs can be bold, playful, thoughtful, abstract, or illustrative. One winning student will be chosen from each school and winners will be selected jointly by Snooze Fabric and Wild City Studio. The graffiti writer will interpret the winning designs for the final wall artwork.

The finished artwork will be unveiled this Easter Monday (6th) during the ‘Roots and Rebel’ event, which is open to everyone.

A series of workshops are also planned with a community mural being made together with local children and residents and a range of spring planting from potatoes to early allotment vegetables celebrating shared creativity and community spirit.

Jon Davies says the event is designed to give young people a voice in shaping their local public space.

Mark Grosskopf, a local ward councillor and chair of the Friends of Markfield Park, said: “Over the years this growing garden has really taken shape. Pupils and locals of all generations love to come and plant the seedlings and then harvest the fruit and vegetables later in the year.

“They also enjoy the habitat corridor with its wild areas and to see what creatures we have in the pond, especially the newts. I know they are all excited to hunt the Easter eggs and start the growing season again this year.”

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