Bankside Open Spaces Trust

Octavia Hill Anniversary

Agnes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:02:04 +0000

This year we have a series of plans to commemorate Octavia Hill who, amongst her many notable achievements, founded Red Cross Garden, one of the open spaces BOST manages. In 2012 we plan to hold a series of guided walks and to restore the bandstand, which once stood in the centre of her garden. We are also looking forward to recreating the Flower Show which used to be held here annually in the Victorian era. Details will be available on our website and posters in March.

Diversity Garden

Gerry — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:26:22 +0000

The new Diversity Garden has started on the ground!

The design we have agreed will include some raised beds, a wildlife pond, edible hedge, mini meadow, and cherry trees. The main structure is being made for us by Durkan as part of the build of the flats and houses. They will hand it over to us on behalf of local people, around Christmas.

Click here to find out more

Marlborough Playground

Agnes — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:57:04 +0000

BOST and local parents are currently working on a proposal to improve the Marlborough on Union Street with soft surfacing, a garden area, and additional facilities for sports and play. There is more information if you click here.

We are working on a funding bid to achieve this, and held a consultation event on site on Friday, 23rd September, 3.30-6 pm. There was badminton, hula hoops, relay races and enjoy live music, a workshop by the Herb Garret, Jones the Bones and much more at the event.

Click here to take survey

Winchester Palace Unveiling!

Helen — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:47:22 +0000

At the launch event Tony Robinson said of our plans for the ruins of Winchester Palace ; ‘I for one look forwards to seeing this imaginative project come to fruition’ . We now have a recording here in which he shares his passion for the area, and the project we are working on.

BOST and partners have launched our fundraising campaign for the new garden and historic learning programme at Winchester Palace, with an evening of speeches and entertainment on Clink Street.

Tony Robinson told us

‘Clink Street is redolent with London history, not just because of the eponymous prison which, over half a millennium, incarcerated so many of its unfortunate citizens, but also because of the magnificent Winchester Palace next door, home of one of the most powerful men in Britain

The prison burnt down long ago, and little of the palace remains, except for one magnificent rose window and the walls surrounding it. To revitalise this window, and the history it exemplifies would be a task any Londoner should welcome, and I for one look forward to seeing this imaginative project come to fruition.’

Tony Robinson

At the launch for the campaign, we welcomed Jane Siddell, Inspector of Ancient Monuments for English Heritage who described the historic importance of the Palace and the value of the remains to be uncovered. Jane let us know she heartily welcomed this project and would contribute to it’s delivery.

Visitors were able to view the remains from the enclosed viewing platform behind the rose window, which is now open to the public. This proved a very moving;- you can actually touch the walls here and think about the history that links us to Henry de Blois, and successive Bishops of Winchester who ran this political centre of activity.

We were really grateful to our partners, including Bankside Residents Forum, Better Bankside and local resident David Stephens. Also we could not have hosted the event without the hospitality generously provided by Pret a Manager and Laithwaites. And most of all, we thank everyone who came and pledged their support in different ways – the campaign is underway!