ARCHIVED NEWS
GOOGLE ARTS AND CULTURE –
GARDENS UNITED
Launched in July 2021, the Google Arts and Culture project is a collaboration to celebrate the unique, beautiful gardens of the UK, from royal palaces to local allotments.
We were delighted to take part and here's the link to the MPGA's section
Do check out Gardens United – an amazing project for us to be part of.
The MPGA section can also be accessed near the top of the home page under 'and 26 more partners'.
FANNY WILKINSON BLUE PLAQUE
We're delighted to announce that Fanny Wilkinson has been awarded a blue plaque by English Heritage.
Fanny was the first woman landscape architect in England and was employed by the MPGA from 1884 to 1904, during which time she created over 75 public gardens in London.
The plaque was erected on 7 June 2022 at her first Bloomsbury home, where she also worked, at 239/241 Shaftsbury Avenue, recently renamed Princes Circus
The unveiling of the plaque, which was organised jointly by the MPGA and English Heritage, was carried out by Rachel de Thame, writer, gardener and television presenter. Also involved in the event were Rebecca Preston of English Heritage, Wesley Kerr OBE, MPGA Vice President, Trustee of the Royal Parks, freelance broadcaster, writer and journalist, as well as Jeanie Northover, Fanny's great great niece, representing the Wilkinson family.
Fanny Wilkinson and the Blue Plaque were the subject of a couple of interesting articles.
Click here to view 'Blazing a Trail', an article about Fanny written by Jodie Jones, journalist and MPGA Committee member. This feature appeared in the GARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL of July 2022 and was accompanied by pictures of Fanny's gardens.
Click here to view Ian Morton's article in the January 2023 edition of COUNTRY LIFE, with accompanying pictures of Myatt's Fields Park and Paddington Street Gardens which were transformed by Fanny.
Click here to view 'Blazing a Trail', an article about Fanny written by Jodie Jones, journalist and MPGA Committee member. This feature appeared in the GARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL of July 2022 and was accompanied by pictures of Fanny's gardens.
Click here to view Ian Morton's article in the January 2023 edition of COUNTRY LIFE, with accompanying pictures of Myatt's Fields Park and Paddington Street Gardens which were transformed by Fanny.
Many of Fanny's gardens are still enjoyed today, here are two of them
PLATINUM JUBILEE 2022
The Queen's Green Canopy (QGP) is a unique planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to plant a tree to celebrate the occasion and at the same time enhance the environment.
To launch the scheme the Queen joined the Prince of Wales to plant the first Jubilee tree at Windsor Castle in 2021.
The official planting season will be October 2022 to March 2023.
The MPGA have on previous important royal anniversaries planted a tree at Buckingham Palace. We are currently discussing our options as to the species of tree for the Platinum Jubilee and where it will be planted.
VICTORIAN FOOTPRINTS EXPLORING BETHNAL GREEN IN THE 19 CENTURY
An exhibition 'Victorian Footprints' was held to celebrate Oxford House's redevelopment in October 2019. This amazing initiative came about when a group of local residents got together to research life in Victorian Bethnal Green. In conjunction with the exhibition, a booklet was published which can be found here.
We've given grants to several sites and gardens in Bethnal Green over the years and were particularly interested to see that the booklet features Meath Gardens and its transformation in 1894 by Fanny Wilkinson, the MPGA's garden designer. link to F Wilkinson page She redesigned and opened up the old neglected cemetery and turned it into a very attractive park with new wide spaces and a children's play area - much appreciated by the local people.
BOOKS
HOW HAMPSTEAD HEATH WAS SAVED
by Helen Lawrence
THE LONDON SQUARE: GARDENS IN THE MIDST OF TOWN
by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan
LONDON'S CALLING is a review of the book by Timothy Brittain-Catlin, which appeared in the July 2012 edition of 'World of Interiors' and features London Squares with which the MPGA has been involved over the years. We're delighted that World of Interiors had given us permission to reproduce this article. Click here to view the article.
VISIT OF DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE TO KING HENRY'S WALK
Back in January 2019 HRH The Duchess of Cambridge visited one of our grant recipients, King Henry's Walk Garden in Islington. The project ,which brings people together through gardening and food growing, was of special interest to the Duchess.
The visit also marked the announcement that the Duchess would be co-designing the RHS Back to Nature Garden at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge with Sue Biggs, Director General of the RHS and Nicola Freshwater, a Trustee of King Henry's Walk Garden and also an MPGA Committee Member
OLD CHURCH MEMORIAL GARDEN, MARYLEBONE HIGH STREET
Following the granting of a Bench for the restoration of the Old Church Memorial Garden in Marylebone High Street, Marjorie Dowbiggin (Treasurer) and Shirley Brihi (Publicity) were invited to the official opening in November 2012. A report from the local newspaper, The Wood and Vale, is shown here.
THE QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE EVENT 2012 - WILD LONDON
The "Wild London" Festival took place on 15 May 2012 in Richmond Park to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee and the Capital's parks, gardens and open spaces.
The MPGA was one of the organisations invited to attend this prestigious event. We were delighted when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied the Queen to the event, stopped to enquire about the MPGA and signed our visitors' book before leaving.
