London Road Station Partnership Elspeth Broady and Madeleine Cary

Engagement Confidence Vision

small suburban station just outside centre of Brighton built 1877, residential area of similar period 475,000 journeys annually, local and regional commuting local focus: bridge is a thoroughfare to local school, successful local pubs either side much loved by locals, but concerns about graffiti and use of land sold for development

London Road Station Partnership set up through residents’ association in April 2011 to transform two plots of waste land

now also community composting and graffiti ‘Bridgewatch’ 10 core gardeners, up to 20 composters and many ‘friends’

Vision An initial plan that gets people going create two gardens, develop a historical display Examples for inspiration a visit to Plumpton Station Partnership ‘Harvest’ demonstration edible garden in local park Ideas developing organically ‘why don’t we use that area for composting?’ Ambition ‘let’s go for ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ registration’

Engagement Essential! Open, inclusive and accepting – taking what comes Social focus: having tea together, outings, Harvest supper Communication: ‘Open door’, , posters, blog Events with local community: street party, Mini-orchard planting, Garden Gadabout charity event Businesses, Council, organisations: sponsorship, support, grants

Confidence Support from Sussex Community Rail Partnership Trust, encouragement and enthusiasm from Southern Railways Opportunities to learn via our community association networks and links with other community gardens Involvement of local Councillors Successful applications for funding and sponsorship Response from our local community: people chatting, visiting, ‘owning’ the gardens

As an example … Video of Mini-orchard planting event Collaboration with Brighton Permaculture Trust and Action for Rural Sussex Planting of 7 fruit trees - 4 local Sussex varieties- and an apple-based lunch Around 50 people attended, including ward Councillor, local MP and local publican