Fourthland Projects 2008 – 2016
Fourthland began working with the TMO and estate residents in 2008 to transform a series of neglected areas of the Estate into public spaces for growing and meeting. The projects facilitated the cultivation of care and shared culture through a series of collaborative events, planting, making, design and construction. The projects have involved residents from over 12 ethnicities and ages ranging from 1 – 95.
The first project developed in collaboration with residents was the Growing Kitchen garden, behind Napier Court which involved residents in hands on workshops to build and plant the garden, sing songs, cook food together and make a cook book, sharing residents recipes.
The success and joy of this process resulted in further collaborations being initiated by Fourthland and Estate residents including the development of, The Back Garden, behind Wenlock Court.
The shared processes set in motion many other ideas about areas of the Estate and have since lead to many years of exciting projects.
Some of these projects included a wheat field on Napier grove, sown and harvested by residents and school pupils, salad and herbal tea farmers markets in the school grounds and the formation of new growing areas by the Growing Kitchen Resident Group such as the Wenlock Orchard
Timeline over the last few years …
- 2008 – Growing Kitchen Garden and Growing Kitchen Cook book
- 2009 – Grown and bread and farming projects with Thomas Fairchild School
- 2010 – Wenlock herb garden ( now managed by Skyways )
Set up of Growing Kitchen Resident group Development of Foraging Garden - 2012 – Food to Share Garden begins
- 2013 – Wenlock Orchard planted
The Tale of Pavia Rubra with Thomas Fairchild School - 2014 – Meeting House constructed by residents through workshops
- 2015 – Winter warmers program with residents and winter celebration waking up the trees
- 2014 – 2016 The Back garden continues to flourish as a new resident led space
Since these beginnings the projects continue to go from strength to strength becoming independently run by residents and leading to many new possibilities for people and the Estate.
In 2014 the projects won a series of national awards for sustained resident participation, diversity and impact including leading to the TMO winning a national TMO award for involving community.
The gardens and events are open to all residents to join in
To find out more about how to get involved and sign up for a growing space contact
fourthlandinfo@gmail.com
More information about these projects can be found at
www.fourthland.co.uk
Funded by The Big Lottery Local Food Program, Shoreditch Trust, Awards for All, Wenlock Barn TMO, London Community Foundation, Thomas Fairchild School and Capital Growth.
