Yard Work with Open Orchard

Transforming Our Yard Soil Bank

About a year ago, our soil bank in the Yard failed. A leak in the grounds of the Church had caused water to run through the bank, making it increasingly unstable.

The soil bank is there for an important reason. Beneath it sits a Grade I listed retaining wall which has failed, and the bank was originally created to help keep the wall stable. Finding a long-term solution that protects this historic structure is therefore really important.

Recently, we have partnered with Open Orchard to help us transform the soil bank into something we can be proud of — creating a more attractive space for everyone to enjoy, while also providing a real boost for local wildlife and helping to stabilise the bank through planting.

Who are Open Orchard?

The Open Orchard Project began in 2014 in West Norwood, when a group of local residents came together to plant 67 fruit trees across nine public locations in and around West Norwood and Streatham Hill.

Today, Open Orchard is a thriving community group. Alongside maintaining their existing orchards, they have become involved in a wide range of urban greening projects, including the pavement beds along Norwood Road, the Gravel Garden near the bus garage, and planting around the Norwood Works Industrial Estate. More recently, they created a new garden on Platform 2 at West Norwood train station. You can find out more about them on their website.

Getting the Yard ready

Over recent Sunday mornings, we have been busy clearing tonnes of rubble left behind after the refurbishment, tackling overgrown plants and preparing the soil bank for its transformation.

With help from the Open Orchard team, their volunteers and some SLT volunteers, we have already made great progress in clearing and preparing the area.

The next phase will involve bringing in topsoil and installing logs to create natural steps and help shape and landscape the bank. Once this is in place, we can begin thinking about planting it with a range of plants that will both look great and help stabilise the bank.

Can you help?

We will need help finding and transporting suitable logs to SLT, as well as some extra hands when the topsoil arrives.

If you fancy getting involved and helping us transform this space, please get in touch by email.

We couldn’t do this without the fantastic team at Open Orchard and their volunteers. We are really looking forward to seeing the soil bank take shape and creating a greener, more welcoming and wildlife-friendly Yard for everyone to enjoy!