Former Neglected Hanwell Space Transformed

Katherine Buchan meadow is officially opened

(all photos courtesy Paul James)

Residents in Old Hanwell have been celebrating the completion of the Katherine Buchan Meadow - a community garden transformed with the help of local funding.

The area next to St Mark's primary school had been an overgrown and neglected space but a group of locals saw the potential and were awarded £46,300 by the council’s Transform Your Space project.

It's now been turned into a communal garden and meadow named after Katherine Buchan, who built and maintained four almshouses for women on the site in 1876. Her daughter later added another six, which were there for a hundred years until being pulled down in 1975/76.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz congratulated  everyone who volunteered and supported the project before being helped by the children to cut the ribbon officially opening the meadow. Local Councillor Peter Peter Mason who has also lent his support was also present.

Project instigator, Amanda Rutkowski, said it was a very special day:

''We were very fortunate to have the most stunning blue skies and warmest of days  which combined with  great  music from  members of the Hanwell Ukulele Group and fabulous refreshments generously given by The Dodo Micropub, The Fox, Santa Maria Pizzeria and W7    added to the most perfect afternoon.''

Read more: Katherine Buchan Meadow: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638998136372211

Photographs: http://photography.paulrichardjames.net/Collections/Hanwell/Katherine-Buchan-Meadow

April 18, 2017