OPEN GARDEN SQU…
OPEN GARDEN SQUARES WEEKEND
9-10 June 2012
Arnold Circus
- Open:
- Saturday 10:00–17:00 + Sunday 10:00–17:00
- Description:
- Arnold Circus is a unique garden and heritage asset at the heart of the 1890s Boundary Street Estate in East London. Originally designed to form the centrepiece of Britain’s first publicly funded social housing scheme, it was an eye-catching focal point. It was intended to improve public health, promote exercise and be a ‘stage’ for the local community. Its form and tiered ‘wedding cake’ arrangement became the spatial generator for the layout of the surrounding estate.
In latter years, the garden fell into decline and was rescued thanks to concerted action by the local community, led by the Friends of Arnold Circus. In 2010, the gardens underwent a major regeneration, led by LDA Design, which sensitively balanced restoration, sustainability, improvements and design. This took place after months of careful research, followed by meticulous workmanship to restore the historic elements and add new ones.
A vibrant new planting scheme was introduced, bringing colour and seasonal interest and improving biodiversity. The focal point of the gardens, the ‘at risk’ bandstand, was restored using handmade roofing tiles matching the original. Modifications were made to historic railings, incorporating new seating. A rainwater harvesting system was installed, with underground storage reducing mains usage, providing recycled water on tap for planting and improving sustainability and reducing maintenance costs.
These gardens have been restored to their original beauty. They highlight the principles of sympathetically revitalising buildings ‘at risk’ and registered landscapes, making them more sustainable, accessible and attractive. The wider community is delighted with their renewed cultural and much-loved space, used for a diverse range of events. The Friends of Arnold Circus now have a partnership agreement with the council to maintain the space, showing how communities can lobby for improvements in their local environment and influence design.
- The Gardener:
- Andy Willoughby
- Activities:
- A landscape architect from LDA Design will be on site in the afternoon, to give background information and answer any questions for visitors.
- Entrance:
- Nearest postcode: E2 7JF
Sells tickets. - Buses:
- 26, 48, 55, 149, 242, 243
- Stations:
- Shoreditch High Street, Old Street
- Cycle hire station:
- Palissy Street (Map)
- Public toilets:
- Old Street Roundabout – Exits 7 & 8: Saturday 08:30-16:30 (Map)
- Access:
- Access by steps only.
- Dogs:
- Dogs on leads
- Further information:
-
Please click on the link below to open an Acrobat PDF copy of the April Trustee’s monthly meeting:
Please click on the link below to open an Acrobat PDF copy of the March Trustee’s monthly meeting:
The Circus is looking very green now with all the rain we have had, and promises to look good for the coming events.
The Hollyhocks are growing massive on the South side and looks like it will be a forest of Hollyhocks over the summer!
The tall red & yellow Geums are in flower now on the South side and really brighten it up.
The large green Helleborus argutifolias have been amazing, with their great big green flower-heads surviving all through winter. And the Bleeding Hearts (Dicentras) have been beautiful.
I have some help now. Robert Bradshaw, who used to manage Leila’s shop but is now a gardener, is assisting me and has been a great help over the past couple of months, with the work and with suggestions and ideas.
Your Chance to unmask the East End!
Come and eat bagels and hear stories with the Friends of Arnold Circus
at 6.30pm in Rochelle School, Arnold Circus on Tuesday June 12th..
Come and listen to personal accounts of the old and not so old East End, led by the mysterious and shadowy figure of
THE GENTLE AUTHOR
whose daily blog and his (or her??) explorations of the area enchants thousands, and have led to a chunky new book, ‘Spitalfields Life’.
Come and hear future plans for Arnold Circus in the coming year (short annual general meeting).
Carriages at 9pm.
We are celebrating Arnold Day in a special way this year, on May 27th. Not only will you get Pavilion Brass and their lovely catchy music, but this year you can also celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in a very distinctive way.
Artist Livvy Fink will be on hand to lead an activity, making diamonds to hang on a large structure created by children at Virginia Primary School. The Bengali Women’s Group at St Hilda’s will have made diamond-shaped glittery biscuits, and Rochelle Canteen will be donating a batch of their special Arnold Biscuits.
We invite you, one and all, to come and join in on Sunday 27th, 3 – 5pm. Have a cup of tea, listen to the band, make and nibble on diamonds and feel the sparkle…..
With thanks to LBTH Arts & Events/Canary Wharf Group for support.
Running for Gold
When Arnold Circus was built, it was specifically for local people to ‘refresh and recreate’.
Virginia Primary School took that seriously – children, staff and some parents – when they staged their own pre-Olympics around it.
Maria describes what happened:
‘On the Sports Relief day we had a great morning of sports and fun. The motto of Sports Relief is to “go the extra mile”, so we decided to get the children to run a mile around Arnold Circus as a whole school. Each class took turns in running a set amount of laps around Arnold Circus, starting with the youngest children in the nursery right up to the Year 6 pupils, and finally the parents and teaching staff ran a lap.
We were very lucky on the day to have brilliant weather and the support of one of the local cafes, Leila’s, who provided the children with water and blood oranges. The school had also decided to recognise the achievement of each child by presenting them with a commemorative medal, which the children loved. After this successful sporting event, the children and parents watched a Sporting talent show where groups and individual children performed, showcasing a range of sporting talents from dance to poetry about sports and the Olympics.
After all this fun it’s great to know that we raised £314 from talent show ticket sales and donations for non-uniform wearing.
I would like to thank all those that took part not only for making the day a great success but for raising money that will definitely change the lives of others.’
