Words Francine Raymond
Film and photography Ellen Hancock

Just four of the area’s original streets survive. They are charming, with desirable family houses, majestic London Plane trees and a friendly atmosphere. Yet they are all that remain of a thriving neighbourhood that was planned for total demolition.

This oasis survived thanks to a collection of local activists, including Eleanor Lee, who has lived in the area since 1976. We speak to Eleanor about her involvement in the community, from guerrilla gardening to running a Saturday street market. She has waited patiently – gently agitating, planting and caring for decades. We also speak to architect Anthony Engi Meacock, a founding member of Assemble, who brought new vision and energy to the project.

The garden was designed by Andrea Ku, who was also a gardener in residence at the site. She describes her input as a participatory artwork straddling art and ecology, which invites people to look more closely at the overlooked stories at their feet. She explains how planting was mostly by trial and error to start with. Ventilation was provided mechanically by the glass roof, and watering by rainwater collection. The garden’s soil had to be imported to a depth that goes right down to the cellar, so there was plenty of root space for the first occupant, a tree.

The existing planting is dwarfed by a delicately branched birch tree and a much-loved tree fern. They are surrounded by a mixture of large, hardy house plants such as monsteras, aspidistras, palms and cordylines that would grow well in anyone’s front room, and garlanded with vigorous climbers.

For the past four years, Eva Tuckman has been part of the team who water, feed and care for the plants. When we visit, the ground cover is full of seasonal shade-loving garden plants: hellebores, spring bulbs and cyclamen. There is also a potting area at the back of the house where volunteers can grow seedlings and pot on plants. Seed swaps are also popular with visitors.

Gardening is contagious: not only are the terrace’s front gardens a joy to behold, but the back alley that had for years been a depository for household rubbish has been transformed into a plant-filled meander, a place to sit and chat. Last year, the entire project – the Winter Garden, front gardens and back alley – opened to raise money for the National Gardens Scheme’s charities, to great success.

The Winter Garden describes itself as “the place Granby people decided to make for themselves – a beautiful indoor garden and meeting venue, and a resource for the community owned by our community.” On offer this month are regular drop-ins, yoga classes, language courses, art sessions, and kids’ activities. The space is available for meetings and events, and new volunteers are always welcome.

Gardening together

If there’s one thing that’s better for body and soul than gardening, it’s gardening in company. You may not have your own space to garden, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the pleasure of working the soil and seeing the many benefits your efforts produce.

*Look locally for community gardens, hospice gardens, parks, schools and stately homes who may have vacancies to join a team and work together.

*Volunteer at one of five RHS gardens nationwide and offer your time, support and passion. You can help to maintain the plants, run tours, welcome visitors or inspire younger generations to get involved.

*Garden Buddies is an online community service that matches elderly and disabled gardeners with volunteers to help them maintain and enjoy their gardens.

*Central London green oasis Roots and Shoots in Kennington is an independent, award-winning environmental charity with several biodiverse wildlife gardens, offering safe havens for both people and nature.

*Volunteer and work in one of the country’s most unique and famous historic gardens for the National Trust.

Granby Winter Garden will open this year for the National Gardens scheme on 14th June.