https://www.ft.com/content/97f17d89-0b30-4e18-8fee-447d32077987
"The traffic-laden Archway Road in north London is not where you’d expect to
find one of the UK’s most fascinating gardens. But venture down a side alley
off Highgate High Street and you’ll find a lush, curvaceous tangle where the
air is heady from banks of rosemary and lavender, and sinuous paths skirt a
pond overhung by willow and birch.
The somewhat secret spot is OmVed Gardens, first opened in 2017 by Karen
Leason. Having been involved in educational and environmental initiatives as
well as natural childbirth provision in India, she chose the name, OmVed, from
two Sanskrit words relating to wisdom and the universe. When Leason bought the
site it was a garden centre; its transformation involved digging up large areas
of tarmac and concrete to create not only a beautiful retreat but also a
community hub and event space. This month, the initiative, a Community Interest
Company (CIC), is being relaunched as the “UK’s first centre for food, ecology
and creativity”.
The project did not start with this as a predefined vision. Through
conversations between Leason and landscape architect Paul Gazerwitz, winner of
two medals for his work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the idea emerged to
focus on habitats. “That has been the foundation of all that we do,” says
Leason."
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful:
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-bring-back-sea-otters/>
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics