Funding for the future

The National Gardens Scheme has recently awarded us an Elspeth Thompson Bursary of just over £3,000. Elspeth (left), who died in 2010, wrote the Urban Gardener column in the Sunday Telegraph. Her husband Frank says: “She had a knack of seeing and creating beauty in unlikely places and was enthusiastic about those who gardened for the benefit of others.” The NGS bursary supports individuals or community projects that capture this spirit. We will use our award to complete the renovation of the raised area at the north of the square and to create an Arlington Square Community Hub.

We are also grateful to the charity Cripplegate Foundation which has awarded us £1,500 from Islington Council’s Community Chest for small groups to support our monthly community gardening days. The charity aims to improve lives for local people, building a better future for us all.

AA Chair Gordon McArthur was honoured with a BT People Award of £500 in recognition of his voluntary commitment to improving our area. He has donated his prize money to the Arlington Square planting fund.

Gordon’s BT award bring the total we have raised for our local community projects over the last few months to just over £5,000.