In the middle of an area which is dense with social housing, but particularly deprived of parks and open spaces, BOST has been working with local communities to develop a small garden in celebration of our wonderful mix of cultures.

Here, among the prefabs, we have developed safe plots for communal vegetable growing, cherry, maple and alder trees to ring the seasonal changes, two ponds for local wildlife, a scented garden, a greenhouse, a range of bird boxes and feeders and a seaside-style gravel garden.

The Diversity Garden provides a valuable toehold for gardeners in the area, as well as important tool and plant storage for BOST's work across the parks. Here we run gardening groups for families, local schools, minority groups, and anyone with an interest in growing plants and produce.

BOST aims to develop this much-loved space to be a permanant public garden with a focus on vegetable growing. To this end we have been working with Southwark Council members and officers to build protection for this garden into the Council's future plans.

The Council and Housing Association propose to build housing at one end of the overall plot only. Thanks to the efforts of our voluntary campaigners, and key Southwark Councillors, we are now working on agreeing terms for a lease for the remaining area as a garden here, for the future. But we understand this will mean we are likely to lose the existing garden and everything in it for up to two years while the land is used as a build site for the new houses and flats proposed.

Many residents, volunteers, and staff have expressed their sadness at the probable loss of the lovely exisitng Diversity Garden, thank you all warmly for your support.

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