Meanwhile in early July 2008, the Society gathered to party and to put their heads together and work out what had made the Bully Fen original Manor Gardens site function so well. The current sites problems and the aspirations for any future site were all discussed. Every member present spoke, often very movingly. The sense of loss still strong. 13 year old Boris and 86 year old Tom gave their perspectives on the past and the future. All the ideas presented were taken off and formed into a diagram or mind map of how the Society would like the Legacy Park plots to be.
MEETING WITH LEGACY DESIGNERS
In late July members met with the ODA designers. Some months earlier MGS had asked to meet in the very early stages of the thinking about the Legacy Park. It was agreed that since MGS is the only evicted community to be returning to the park after the Olympics we have a special status. This means discussions will take place with us earlier and separately from the wider community surrounding the park.
A venue was discussed and the Committee decided they would invite the designers to the Marsh Lane site. Partly to show them a site that does not fulfil our criteria, partly to prevent any power point presentations (no electricity) but mostly to be able to roll out our usual standard of hospitality to our guests.
The guests included Vincent Bartlett form the LDA, he supervised the eviction process, Tom Smith of EDAW Landscape Designers and John Hopkins of the ODA with responsibility for overseeing the transition to 2012 and then beyond to Legacy. Six members of MGS with a particular interest in the Legacy attended including our co-chairs at the time, Kath and Julie and Secretary Mark.
They arrived to a sumptuously laid out table of fruits, vegetables and Turkish treats such as Humous and fresh Pitta bread so readily available in this area. Mostly bought due to the lateness of crops this year.
MGS had drafted an agenda and Julie chaired the meeting. She presented the Societies ideas and mind map and there was tangible excitement from the ODA team. The diversity of uses with sustainability at the heart was described as a microcosm of what they envisaged for the whole park. The irony that the very place these mind map ideas had been based on had been destroyed did not pass Society members by. The meeting ended with a promise of another meeting before the end of the year.
We were given a timetable of plans to be drafted to go out for public consultation in early 09, then planning applications at the end of the year/early 2010.
MAYORAL OBJECTIONS TO ALLOTMENTS
Our understanding at this stage is that the Hackney Mayor, Jules Pipe, is adamant that he does not want allotments in the Hackney segment of the Legacy Park and the Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales is not much keener. Their objection is that allotments are semi-privatised spaces, which benefit only a small number of people. Their aspirations for the Legacy Park are that it should be available to the whole community. Yet the entire 320 Hectares of the Park area has been privatised for at least six years surrounded by high security fencing and guarded by police. The original allotment site was a mere 1.8 Hectares. MGS argue that we hold a democratic waiting list and that the small area of more private fenced in plots is needed to cultivate a close community, give security to women, children and the elderly while they garden and to keep the rabbits out! Beyond that we are enthusiastic about having a more public food growing space where our skills can be shared and events held. We would welcome any thoughts on how small allotment enclosures benefit the wider community. We would also be grateful to anyone prepared to write to the Mayors expressing that view. If there are votes in it!
Over the summer 08 the recommended ‘ripping’ was carried out. The fist attempt was deemed to have made an improvement so some established plot holders struggling with the conditions decided to have their plots ‘ripped’
In the dryer areas good crops were achieved so it was clear the soil was of good quality if only the drainage had been properly constructed.
In October a very efficient company removed the electricity pylon which hung over the site. This was part of the pylon removal project for the Olympic Park. There was minimal damage or disruption and the look of the site is a little improved.
Society's idea for the Legacy Park