Gardens & Grounds

When we sought to address the neglected state of the grounds in Chobham Manor and the understaffing and changing staff of grounds caretakers and the general lack of gardening know how we thought a good idea would be to set up a gardening club. The intention behind the club was not to do the work which we are paying L&Q to do through service charges and rents but to seek an active, shared leadership with them to work out how to restore planting, do weeding and watering and generally improve the look and feel of the estate. 

After many meetings and some setbacks, we have now just recently got sight of a good working relationship and with many thanks to one of our residents Maggie Freegard and all those who have helped with the gardening club we have a detailed scheme of grounds work and maintenance in partnership with David and Zee and Jo as the team of skilled gardening caretakers. Things in principle as of March are looking more positive in terms of shared management. We need to give a chance in 2024 for these new arrangements to work. 

Thanks are due to Lisa Thomas, area lead for the Caretakers for actively helping us with getting this in motion. If you have gardening skills or want to get some exercise and involvement (for example, to adopt a plot and care for it through the seasons) let us know. If you have a concern about the gardens and their care, please come to the committee. There are many and varied views on how to care for plants and when to cut crass etc. 

The residents association for the gardening club purchased 5000 bulbs and Maggie Freegard oversaw their planting around the estate with help from the girl guides and residents and other volunteers. It is a tremendous achievement – we need more members of the club and as the spring comes, we will be calling on help.