Town Hall mulls options amid pleas to preserve St Mary’s Secret Garden

St Mary’s Secret Garden

Hackney Council says it is considering potential other uses for a ‘cherished’ secret garden after more than 1,000 people called on the Town Hall to preserve the green sanctuary recently forced to close.

St Mary’s Secret Garden (SMSG) has been nestled on the corner of Hoxton’s Pearson Street for the best part of two decades, offering gardening activities to locals, community groups and marginalised people such as those with mental ill-health, long-term illnesses and learning disabilities.

Last month, organisers announced it was highly likely to permanently shut due to a loss of core funding.

The charity is now insolvent but volunteers have since launched an e-petition garnering more than 1,300 signatures, urging the council to “act decisively” in keeping the “cherished” urban haven as a community asset.

“Specifically, we request the council preserve this space as a green resource, creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities and support needs, promoting environmental education, and fostering connection among residents”, the petition states.

The group warns that the garden’s closure has left a significant gap in the “empowering” support available to those marginalised adults reliant on its programs — in a borough where activities for people with diverse support needs are “already limited”.

They also argue that the garden “perfectly embodied” the Town Hall’s own strategy around green infrastructure, parks and green spaces.

Volunteers could get the physical and mental health benefits of gardening. Photograph: St Mary’s Secret Garden

“Through horticultural therapy, participants engaged in meaningful activities promoting healthy living, breaking cycles of isolation, and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

“By championing biodiversity, fostering wellbeing, and providing equitable access to green spaces, St Mary’s Secret Garden stood as a model of sustainability and community cohesion.”

Assembly members Caroline Russell, Leonie Cooper and Jennette Arnold with Paula Yassime from St Mary’s Secret Garden on a visit to the Homerton green space in January 2017

As the freeholder, the council has the power to take control of the site, but voluntary sector and culture chief Cllr Chris Kennedy said this cannot be done until the garden closes “legally”.

In the short term, he said, “we want to establish if others can use and maintain the garden while we look at what we can do to best support the space in the longer term.

“We try and work with voluntary or community organisations when their plans are financially viable. We hope they succeed in their fundraising efforts and are able to do good work for the borough in future.”

Cllr Kennedy added that the local authority has consistently supported the project through discounted rent and grant funding nearing £90,000.

Kirsten Moore, a volunteer who started the petition, told the Citizen she and others had been in contact with the Town Hall and “value the responses we’ve received from them”.

“We completely understand the challenges posed by current budget constraints and the waiting lists for adult services in the borough. As SMSG volunteers, we are committed to being part of the solution.

“Had we been informed earlier about the garden’s financial situation, this situation might have been avoided.

“Nevertheless, we’re viewing this difficult position as an opportunity to collaborate and work towards making the garden a viable, sustainable and equitable resource for the community,” she said.

Ms Moore also said the group are eager to participate in an upcoming stakeholder meeting which the council has told them is slated for the New Year.

“We believe we can bring valuable insights and resources to the table.”