Peabody estates Southmere and Parkview in Thamesmead spruced up for spring

People in Thamesmead have been getting their hands dirty to bring colour and life to their streets in the first of a series of community greening days across the Southmere and Parkview estates organised by Peabody.

Dozens of volunteers came out on Wednesday to plant roses, honeysuckle, ferns and grass in planters recently installed along Limestone Walk in South Thamesmead.

As part of National Nest Box Week residents also built bird boxes for the upcoming Blue Tit nesting season.

The project is part of Peabody’s £10m programme to improve the green spaces around residents’ homes. The first phase of work will see extensive improvements to four courtyards on the Southmere Estate and nine courtyards and several streets on the Parkview Estate.

Peabody’s public realm and landscape manager in Thamesmead, Desiree Shepherd, said: “It was great to see so many people of all ages come to pitch in and produce some fantastic planting that’s really going to enhance their neighbourhood.

“We depend on nature and it’s deteriorating more rapidly than ever because of climate change, which is why community events like this are so important.

“They also bring more colour and variety to Thamesmead and complement the great green spaces we have to enjoy in the town.”

Email Peabody’s gardener-in-residence Kat Wojnar at kat.wojnar@peabody.org.uk or click here for more information.

Pictured top is gardner Kat Wojnar with one of the residents