Join the Garden Advisory Group

From the chair of the RCC, with preamble from the chair of the Ben Jonson House Group:

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Barbican Gardens in the news

 

From the Ben Jonson House Group chair:

Dear All,

For many years the Garden Advisor Group has worked with the BEO to maintain our gardens to the highest possible standard.

It's a labour of love and not only brings joy to the residents, but also to the many visitors, who come specially to the Estate, to enjoy the colour and variety of planting.

The gardens get noticed by the press as well, and when I saw a copy of Garden in the dentist's waiting room a few years ago, I forgot all about the impending pain!

The RCC is keen that the GAG continues with this good work and as part of the campaign to Make the Barbican a Better Place, the Chair has asked me to circulate his note below.

Kind regards,
Chair Ben Jonson House Group



From the Residents Consultative Committee (RCC) Chair:

MAKING THE BARBICAN A BETTER PLACE

Click to read the flyer

Dear Neighbour,

Please help create a Better Barbican by volunteering to join the Gardens Advisory Group (GAG) that works with the City Gardens team and residents to enhance the presentation and future development of the Barbican's hard and soft landscaping. This includes the Speed and Thomas More private gardens, plus the planted podium raised beds and planters.

Membership is for three years and residents with specialist knowledge and experience are particularly welcome.

The GAG's work covers six key areas:

1. Strategic – including details of any future plans for the landscape in the Estate including making recommendations for changes to the Residents' Consultation Committee (RCC)
2. Quality – contribute to establishing standards for new projects and the on-going maintenance of the current gardens
3. Operational – see that the agreed quality outcomes are delivered day-to-day and oversee active contribution from residents and other volunteers.
4. Encouragement – encourage residents to 'green' their personal space on balconies and patios by use of troughs and pots as well as involving them in the communal areas by, for example, resident planting days.
5. Links – provide a means for links with organisations with a common interest in managing, developing and promoting the Barbican landscape.
6. Communications – ensure that information about the development of the Barbican landscape is communicated to all residents, that details of how residents can contact the GAG are published in appropriate places and prepare quarterly reports to RCC.

If you would like to know more, or would like to volunteer, please email chairspeedhouse@outlook.com by Friday 5 November stating:

• Your name
• The skills/knowledge you have to offer
• The areas of the working party's activities to which you aim to contribute
• That you will take the Minutes on a rotational basis
• If you are a current/prior member of this or another Barbican Working Party

Current and prior members of the GAG are welcome to apply as their valuable knowledge will complement the fresh perspectives brought by new members. Decisions on membership will be made by residents delegated by the Barbican Residents' Consultation Committee.

Thanks for helping to create a Better Barbican.

Chair Residents' Consultation Committee http://democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=188

Golden Lane Parklet - comments invited

From the City:

City of London and Sustrans are planning a temporary parklet in Golden Lane and want to work with the community, businesses and schools to co-design and install it. The parklet will provide a pleasant space for people from all walks of life to visit, rest and meet-up.

Click this image of the parklet to read the flyer:

Click to read the flyer

Tree Hacking - The Denizen wins again

The tree at the corner of Brackley St and Golden Lane is being chopped up.  It's a 'rebalancing' apparently.  Needed because branches had to be removed for the new Denizen building.

I understand that Open Spaces didn't realize how close the proposed Denizen was to the tree during the planning process but they now see the need to dramatically hack the tree back.

The tree early in the hacking.  Hacking van on street.

Post hacking

Plummeting plant pots

Being struck on the head by a plant pot would be nasty, no matter how pretty the plant pot looked before it fell, nor whether the pot was blown or knocked off.

From the BEO:
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Balcony Planting: In High Wind
Following an incident on the Estate where a terracotta pot fell off again from a balcony ledge, please ensure that any pots or plants you have on the ledge are taller than the safety wires.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Garden Waste - trials and corrigenda

You live and learn.  A corrigendum is "a thing to be corrected, typically an error in a printed book.".  So here is one of those from the BEO with regard to what you can do with your garden waste:

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Corrigendum & Apologies: Garden Waste Trial
The garden waste trial came to an end in October 2018 and we'd like to thank residents for participating in this trial. At present, there is no garden waste collection.

A new waste collection contract will be beginning in April 2019 and we will use this opportunity to explore options to potentially provide a garden waste collection when practicable to do so. We will update you of the outcome in due course.

If you have any garden waste you would like to dispose of, this can be taken to Tower Hamlets Reuse and Recycling Centre, Yabsley Street, London E14 9RG.

Gardening Committee October meeting

Here is a report from the Ben Jonson House Group representative on the estate gardening committee:
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I attended the GAG committee meeting last week, and a subsequent tour of the Ben Jonson/Breton garden areas yesterday.

The GAG started with a tour of the Thomas Moore Gardens, in the company of Jake Tibbetts (City of London Gardens) and Paul Bandassari (Head Gardener in Barbican Grounds)

Key Points raised:

• The Lawns in Thomas Moore have been scarified twice, which is the first time this has been done in many year. The lawn has recovered after hot summer. There were objections to the watering, as this was seen as unnecessary. Paul B will therefore switch off lawn watering, if possible, next year.
• The Thomas Moore/Mountjoy open space will be used as a open potting area for gardening team. This will enable them to reuse more plants and keep costs down.
• Nigel Dunn (who designed the new planted area of Dry Gardens has done several educational sessions with the gardeners and volunteers. However, a general 'Meet the gardeners day' has not been arranged yet, most House Reps wanted this to take place in summer. Hopefully, this will take place in Spring. Jake Tibbetts to arrange.
• Flower beds around BJ and Breton House have been updated and weeded over the summer - much improved
• The BHS would like more people to join the Society and attend their events - membership details on the British Horticultural Soc website
• Group Inspections -these have been done by each house, 6-monthly for 18 months (I do the BJ inspection with Breton House (Jo Rodgers) and Cromwell Tower. Generally it was noted that not much planting has been done over that period, and the beds look pretty much the same. We queried whether this was due to lack of staff, the difficult summer, or because of the forthcoming resurfacing and replanting of the BJ/Breton area in 2019 (with the drainage works). Paul Bandassari said that their budget was tight, but the gardening team was the same size as always, and in fact they had brought in some short term staff for assistance over the summer. The conditions this summer had been very challenging for the gardening team over all the estate. Moisture had been the largest problem, but they had managed to keep most of the plants alive. Paul is aware of the upcoming redevelopment of the BJ Highwalk, but this has not influenced the work put into the area. They are making sure all the beds are kept green and as tidy as possible, but new plants will not be put in - as they would be removed in the redevelopment.
• The Speed Garden replanting has not taken place this summer. It may go ahead next spring, but this is dependent on budget allocation.
• The barbican lake will require draining and de-silting shortly. This is a new item on the estate agenda, and money will need to be found from the budget to cover it.
• Barbican at 50 - is anything being done in the gardens to celebrate this? The RCC did not want to spend any money on this event, and the City of London has nothing in its budget for it either. The Arts Centre will be having additional tours and events. Money will need to be raised from corporate donations etc if anything extensive is to take place. The BA is looking into this.

Jo Rodgers and I had an Inspection Tour of the Ben Jonson and Breton House flower beds with Paul Bandessari yesterday. We looked in close detail at the work done on the lawns and flower beds in the area. Paul's team has done a lot of work to keep them green over the summer. Some areas will need a lot of pruning to remove dead branches after the dry spell. Paul restated that the forthcoming redevelopment of the Ben Jonson High Walk, removal of Yellow Shed etc has not affected the attention to the existing plants in the area. But no new ones will be planted as this would be a waste of time and money if they are to be removed in the next year or so. He is working to improve the soil and drainage in all the larger beds, which will keep them green.

We discussed the overhauling of two beds near to Breton house, and the removal of the wooden flower boxes on the Ben Jonson High Walk. We also would like to see the removal of the netting on thee sides of the towers on Ben Jonson High Walk, as the plants do not survive well there, and many residents would like to see the towers return to their unadorned state! This will need to be discussed at committee level and with the House Committees.

Estate Surveys - Including drains?

The Beech Gardens project pulled up all of the gardens and tiles on the western part of the highwalk towards the Barbican tube station, the area was covered with a waterproofing membrane and the tiles and gardens reinstated largely as before, though the planting was changed (to mixed reviews).

One thing that didn't happen as part of the Beech Gardens project was fixing the drains, a thing you would have thought would have been right at the top of the list given that the whole project was kicked off in response to water leaking through the podium into the Virgin Active gym below.

So now we have new gardens, but the highwalk still floods and Virgin Active still suffer leaks.

The City are reminded of the Beech Gardens project when they raise the prospect of doing the same strip-back + membrane + new tiles and gardens thing at the eastern, Ben Jonson House end of the highwalk.

In particular they are reminded to make sure they fix the drains first, before getting into any other highwalk works.

Which makes the following from the BEO interesting.  Perhaps there is hope:

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Reminder Notice: Surveys across the Estate
Podium Works

Please be aware that there will be a topographical survey and a pre-drainage survey taking place for the podium works across the Barbican Estate.

Topographical and utility surveys between 28 to 31 August and the drainage “Pre-survey” from 23 August for a month.

Both surveys are non-intrusive, we thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this regard.

Garden Inspection

A small team of residents have inspected the gardens on the highwalks around Breton and Ben Jonson Houses, and have produced a "state of the gardens" report.

Click to read the report

Garden Waste Service Trial

If you are a producer of garden waste you may be interested in the City's proposed new service, which they are trialing.  Email recycling@cityoflondon.gov.uk by 26th Jan if you would like to take part in the trial or find out more.

Click to read the whole notice

Open Gardens - 17th & 18th June

Click to visit the open gardens web site

Click to read the flyer

Click to read the flyer

Blooming Barbican Balconies - 3rd June

Planting advice today.  Here is the original flyer and here is the handout from the event (with tips about the kinds of plants to grow and how to keep them alive).  I think this is all from the Barbican Horticultural Society:

Click to enlarge

I just stumbled upon a notice for this event posted on one of the boards in Ben Jonson House.  If you are planning an event and would like to let Ben Jonson House know, just send an email to us with details of your event and or a poster.

Bryer Pond - Blue Lagoon

From the BEO Estate Wide News email:
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The Mystery of the Blue Pond

Have you wondered why Bryer Court pond has turned blue? The solution was revealed to members of the Garden Advisory Group at their quarterly meeting earlier this month. Extensive growth of blanket weed had become a problem and a harmless vegetable dye has been put in the pond to filter the sunlight and so prevent the weed photosynthesising. The dye has been used in the lakes for some years but is more noticeable in the pond.

Weed free

Bulb Planting Day - tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Sunday 6th November, is bulb planting day in the Barbican Wildlife Garden.  Green fingered people are invited to join in between 10:00 and 13:00.

Here is the flyer:

Click to enlarge

The GAG (Gardening Advisory Group)

Here is a brief report from the house group gardening lead.  If you are interested in getting involved with the estate gardens please do drop us a line using the email form at the bottom of the page.
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Helen Davinson of the Barbican Estate Office says that the Gardening Advisory Group (GAG) is an RCC (Residents Consultative Committee) working party.  The GAG does not require representatives from each block, but for those who are interested, membership is decided at their AGM, the next one being in January 2017.

The house group representative on the RCC can ask her to put forward anyone that we would like to have on the Gardening Advisory Group.  The Group meets quarterly,  and their minutes are presented annually to the RCC.

I haven't found anyone, so far, who would be willing to attend these meetings for our House, but I shall keep asking around.

Residents' Planting Day - 4th June

I have no idea who is organising this.  I spotted the notice on our notice boards.

Click to zoom in

Katie takes a tree

Storm Katie has blown down a small tree beside Ben Jonson House:

Small tree, great loss

Fann St. Garden event - this Sunday

The forecast for this Sunday 1st November is looking good - mild and no rain - so I hope you will be able to join us for bulb planting and sowing wild flower seeds in the Fann Street wildlife garden.

Come to Fann Street at any time between 10.00 and 13.00.

Tools and gloves will be provided for adults and children.

There will also be some activities for children as well as the opportunity to help with the planting and sowing.

We'll have hot and cold drinks and biscuits - but if you can bring some to share that would be great.

Families and children very welcome.

Also a reminder that we will be planting bulbs - some lovely yellow tulips - and sowing seeds in Thomas More and Speed Gardens on Sunday 8th November.

Come to Thomas More at any time between 10.00 and 13.00.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Fann St. bulb planting Sun 1st Nov

Bulb planting in the Fann St. Wildlife Garden on 1st November from 10:00 to 13:00:

Barbican Gardeners' Question Time: 11 JUNE

From the BEO:

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Barbican Gardeners' Question Time

Thursday 11^th June at 7pm

Residents Meeting Room, Barbican Estate Office

Please join our expert panel for advice and tips.

Novices and more expert gardeners welcome!!

We'll end with a glass of wine and a chance to meet your neighbours

Barbican Estate Office

RCC Working Parties - volunteers needed!

Sent out by the BEO:
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Dear Resident,

We are seeking volunteers who would be willing to join some of the Residents' Consultation Committee's Working Parties. At their Annual General Meeting in February, the RCC reviewed all of the Working Parties and identified a number of vacancies.

The RCC is keen to hear from any resident that feels they have the time and interest to join either of these two Working Parties:

Gardens Advisory Group (GAG) – this Working Party is made up of 8 resident representatives. There are already 5 serving members and we are looking for 3 more. The Group meet 4 times a year and the meetings take place during the daytime in the week. The GAG carries out joint inspections of the gardens, helps prioritise planting schemes and comments on the garden maintenance. A copy of the minutes of one the last meetings of the Group is attached.

Service Level Agreement (SLA) Working Party - this Working Party is made up of 8 resident representatives. There are already 6 serving members and we are looking for 2 more. The Group meet 4 times a year and the meetings take place on weekday evenings. The SLA Working Party focuses on the quality of resident services and their delivery by the Barbican Estate Office. Suggestions for changes or improvements across the Estate made by the RCC go into an Action Plan, which this Working Party then monitors and reviews. It also reviews the performance of a range of services delivered by the Barbican Estate Office, as measured by a number of Key Performance Indicators that are updated on a quarterly basis. A copy of the last report to the RCC with the action plans and Key Performance Indicators is enclosed.

If you wish to know more or would like to put yourself forward, please contact the RCC Chair, Tim Macer at Tim@Macer.com. Please include a short personal statement, setting out (a) why you would like to join the working party and (b) what you could bring to the Working Party in the way of skill, expertise or interest. Please reply by Friday 1 May.

With regards
Barbican Estate Office