ARCHIVED NEWS


PLATINUM JUBILEE 2022



The Queen's Green Canopy (QGP) is a unique planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to plant a tree to celebrate the occasion and at the same time enhance the environment.

To launch the scheme the Queen joined the Prince of Wales to plant the first Jubilee tree at Windsor Castle in 2021.

The official planting season will be October 2022 to March 2023.

The MPGA have on previous important royal anniversaries planted a tree at Buckingham Palace. We are currently discussing our options as to the species of tree for the Platinum Jubilee and where it will be planted.




VICTORIAN FOOTPRINTS EXPLORING BETHNAL GREEN IN THE 19 CENTURY



An exhibition 'Victorian Footprints' was held to celebrate Oxford House's redevelopment in October 2019. This amazing initiative came about when a group of local residents got together to research life in Victorian Bethnal Green. In conjunction with the exhibition, a booklet was published which can be found here.

We've given grants to several sites and gardens in Bethnal Green over the years and were particularly interested to see that the booklet features Meath Gardens and its transformation in 1894 by Fanny Wilkinson, the MPGA's garden designer. link to F Wilkinson page She redesigned and opened up the old neglected cemetery and turned it into a very attractive park with new wide spaces and a children's play area - much appreciated by the local people.


BOOKS


HOW HAMPSTEAD HEATH WAS SAVED
by Helen Lawrence

How Hampstead Heath was Saved



A fascinating book published in 2019, telling how Hampstead Heath narrowly escaped the developers.

Sounds a familiar story!

The MPGA were very much involved in battling the developers, and still are today.

An excellent read for all lovers of the Heath.

ISBN 978-1-913213-00-08

THE LONDON SQUARE: GARDENS IN THE MIDST OF TOWN
by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan

LONDON'S CALLING is a review of the book by Timothy Brittain-Catlin, which appeared in the July 2012 edition of 'World of Interiors' and features London Squares with which the MPGA has been involved over the years. We're delighted that World of Interiors had given us permission to reproduce this article. Click here to view the article.


VISIT OF DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE TO KING HENRY'S WALK



Back in January 2019 HRH The Duchess of Cambridge visited one of our grant recipients, King Henry's Walk Garden in Islington. The project ,which brings people together through gardening and food growing, was of special interest to the Duchess.

The visit also marked the announcement that the Duchess would be co-designing the RHS Back to Nature Garden at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.

Pictures courtesy RHS/Suzanne Plunkett
 

HRH the Duchess of Cambridge with Sue Biggs, Director General of the RHS and Nicola Freshwater, a Trustee of King Henry's Walk Garden and also an MPGA Committee Member




OLD CHURCH MEMORIAL GARDEN, MARYLEBONE HIGH STREET



Following the granting of a Bench for the restoration of the Old Church Memorial Garden in Marylebone High Street, Marjorie Dowbiggin (Treasurer) and Shirley Brihi (Publicity) were invited to the official opening in November 2012. A report from the local newspaper, The Wood and Vale, is shown here.


THE QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE EVENT 2012 - WILD LONDON


The "Wild London" Festival took place on 15 May 2012 in Richmond Park to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee and the Capital's parks, gardens and open spaces.

The MPGA was one of the organisations invited to attend this prestigious event. We were delighted when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied the Queen to the event, stopped to enquire about the MPGA and signed our visitors' book before leaving.

MPGA Marquee
MPGA Marquee
Shirley Brihi and Helen  Knight
Shirley Brihi and Helen Knight
The Queen is shown around the Festival4
The Queen is shown around the Festival
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh