NOTICE BOARD
NEW PRESIDENT - Hugh Johnson OBE
The MPGA are delighted to welcome Hugh Johnson OBE as our new President and at the same time extend our thanks to outgoing President, Lord Birkett, for his many years of support and service.
As well as being renowned in the world of wine, Hugh Johnson is a Horticulturalist with a special interest in trees. His book The International Book of Trees was published in 1973, followed by a standard guide to gardening, The Principles of Gardening, in 1979.
SECRETARY
Joyce Bellamy MBE, who has been Secretary to the MPGA for almost 25 years, retired at the end of 2011. Joyce rescued the MPGA from decline and it is through her efforts that it has become the vibrant charity it is today.
We welcome her successor, Helen Knight, who has taken up the post from 1 January 2012.
CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE 13TH CITY HARVEST FESTIVAL
was held on 17 September. The MPGA sponsored two prizes, each of £150, presented by David Sadler at the prize giving.
Woodlands Farm Trust won the award for the best exhibit from a City Farm and Hammersmith Community Gardens Association won the award for the best exhibit from a Community Garden.
A short video of
the event, made by Mariella Bussolati, an Italian journalist researching on
community gardens, can be found at:
http://vimeo.com/34045760
LONDON IN BLOOM 2011
The Awards for the Best Park and Best Common, sponsored by the MPGA, were made to Danson Park (London Borough of Bexley) and Clapham Common (London Borough of Lambeth - with a catchment also extending into the London Borough of Wandsworth).
The engraved trophies, which are retained by the recipients, were presented by the Chairman on 16 September.
On 2 October, the LB of Lambeth, in liaison with Clapham based amenity societies, organised a festival on Clapham Common to celebrate the receipt of the Best Common Award and completion of the restoration of the Common's bandstand.
New Year Honours List 2012
An MBE for Linda Phillips of Roots and Shoots
Congratulations are in order to Linda Phillips, Director and Founder of Roots and Shoots, our Spade Award Winner of 2011, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.