Garden management plan January to December 2017€¦ · Garden management plan January to December...

ST JAMES’S CHURCH 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL. Tel: 020 7734 4511 Fax: 020 7734 7449

Website: www.sjp.org.uk • E-mail: [email protected]

Rector: The Revd Lucy Winkett. Clergy: The Revd Lindsay Meader (Associate Rector), The Revd Hugh Valentine

Garden management plan January to December 2017

Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2

Scope ..................................................................................................................... 3

Location ................................................................................................................. 3

History .................................................................................................................... 3

Aims and objectives ............................................................................................... 4

1. A welcoming place ......................................................................................... 5

2. Healthy, safe and secure ............................................................................... 5

3. Clean and well maintained ............................................................................ 6

4. Sustainability ................................................................................................. 8

5. Conservation and heritage ............................................................................. 8

6. Community involvement ................................................................................ 9

7. Marketing ....................................................................................................... 9

8. Management and staffing .............................................................................. 10

Action plan, January to December 2017 .............................................................. 11

Tasks and responsibilities table ........................................................................... 12

http://www.sjp.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]

St James’s Piccadilly Garden Management Plan 2017 Page | 2

Introduction

The Southwood Garden, St James's Church Piccadilly’s, provides a small green retreat in the heart of central London. The Church is keen to maximise the use of the garden for the benefit of the local community, office workers and tourists, as well as as a venue for events and a wildlife habitat.

The garden or ‘green churchyard’ as it has been known for much of its 300 year history, is an intrinsic part of the collection of buildings and spaces that make up St James's Piccadilly.

The Church is applying for Green Flag status in 2017 in order to establish a benchmark against which to measure the quality and biodiversity of its garden and provide a framework through which staff can deliver improvements. The Church believes that success in achieving a Green Flag award - held by St Anne’s, Soho as well as Regent’s Park and St James’s Park, would make a positive contribution to the quality of the site, encourage visitors, support funding bids and help to secure a financially sustainable green space.

The Southwood Garden, because of its location in an intensely developed commercial and cultural district, may, at times, be impacted on by developments and building works, outdoor events and/or installations, or similar activities, that are carried out by its neighbours or by the Church itself. The Church recognises that this is a necessary and dynamic aspect of life in the area. However it also acknowledges that its ‘green churchyard’ is a precious environment that needs sustained protection and care in order for plants and wildlife to flourish and for the garden to bring pleasure to those who use it.


Scope The Southwood Garden, front bed and planters in courtyard and Caffé Nero.

Location The Southwood Garden is located in the grounds of St James’s Piccadilly in London's West End, just a few moments’ walk from Piccadilly Circus.

Access by tube The nearest underground stations are Piccadilly Circus and Green Park.

Access by bus Numerous bus routes go along Piccadilly or through Piccadilly Circus.

Access by car No parking on site and the local area is residents parking and meters only.

The garden is open throughout the year from 8 am to 6.30 pm or 10 am to 5.30 pm on Bank Holidays. Occasionally it is closed to the public for private events.

History

In 1662 Henry Jermyn, 1st Earl of St Albans, obtained land on what was then the outskirts of London, comprising the area now known as St James’s, to develop a residential neighbourhood. He started work on St James’s Square and the surrounding residential streets but set aside a portion of land on the south side of Portugal Street (soon to be called Piccadilly) – specifically for the building of a parish church.

St. James's Church and churchyard, layout plan. Based on the

Ordnance Survey – Image from Survey of London -

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols29-

30/pt1/pp31-55#h3-0019

Built by Sir Christopher Wren, St James’s Church was consecrated in 1684. For over 200 years, the churchyard attached to St James’s was used as a burial ground for the parish. After the war, the publisher and philanthropist, Viscount Southwood, paid for a garden to be laid out on the site. The garden contains a memorial

containing the ashes of Viscount and Lady Southwood decorated with bronze dolphins and children designed by Alfred F. Hardiman. A statue of 'Peace', also designed

by Hardiman, stands in the garden. In 2011, the multinational delivery firm, UPS, funded a reworking of the garden as part of the Olympic legacy, the planting scheme of which is now in the course of being further developed.




Aims and objectives for 2017

Composite photo of the garden

Maintain the garden to a high standard in order to provide an attractive, clean and safe green space for visitors to enjoy;

Contribute to plans, currently being explored, to deliver an improved and

visually coherent space which engages the garden more closely with the Church and surrounding buildings;

Coordinate the garden’s development and maintenance with other activities

taking place on the site;

Ensure that the Church retains clear ownership with regards to the access and

development of the garden;

Develop industry-standard systems, in collaboration with staff, stallholders, volunteers and other stakeholders, to support the efficient and safe management of the garden.

Foster partnerships with relevant external parties and explore suitable

opportunities for their involvement in the garden.

Reduce the environmental impact of the garden and ensure the biodiversity

value of the site.

Promote a consistent message to the public and other audiences across different media, including the Church’s website.

Ensure the Church achieves best value for money when purchasing materials

and services and work towards establishing a financially sustainable green space.

Achieve Greenflag status.


1. A welcoming place St James's wants to welcome visitors to The Southwood Garden by making passersby aware of its existence through signs on Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, as well as promoting it on the Church website (www.sjp.org.uk/). The garden will also be added to Google Places. In terms of access for those with mobility issues, a wheelchair accessible ramp has been added from Piccadilly to the courtyard. However, the garden is spread over several levels all of which are accessed by steps which prevent access by wheelchair users. This is of concern to the Church and will be addressed as part of future developments. Alcohol and drug taking are prohibited on site. The new signage has made this clear to visitors. Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated anywhere the St James’s site. A small number of rough sleepers sleep on the garden benches during the day. We understand that this may deter some visitors but St James’s is committed to being as inclusive as possible and so, as long as they comply with restrictions governing all visitors, rough sleepers will not be asked to leave. 2. Healthy, safe and secure

The Church wants to create an environment where visitors feel safe, secure and are not afraid to enter. The Church recognises and accepts its moral and statutory duty to ensure that The Southwood Garden is a safe and healthy place for visitors and staff alike. See St James’s Health and Safety Policy.

Hard and soft landscaping are regularly maintained to minimise risk of injury, whilst staff and volunteers are trained to work safely in the garden. St James’s is in the process of reviewing those of its policies and guidelines which apply to the garden and is due to complete this process by July 2017. The garden is open 8 am and 6.30 pm although it remains open later if a concert is taking place in the Church. In terms of security, the verger team regularly patrols the site and there is always a member of that team available when the garden is open. The gardener is present a minimum of one day a week. Stallholders are in the courtyard Monday to Saturday. A walk-in counselling service is run from the caravan at the entrance to the garden 7 days a week. These factors mean that there is a considerable, if informal, presence on site. An all-night security guard, based in the caravan, attends from Tuesday to Friday nights.

http://www.sjp.org.uk/)


3. Clean and well maintained The Church wants to invite visitors into a garden which is clean and well maintained. Horticultural maintenance is provided by an experienced gardener who attends the garden 1 day per week with an extra half day for management duties. She oversees the development and maintenance of the garden. She is assisted by a volunteer. Long-term, the Church wants to build up a team of volunteers to help maintain the garden.

Cleaning, bin clearance and litter pick

The bins are emptied once a day in the winter and up to 3 times a day during the spring and summer. Throughout the year, a deeper clean (sweeping the paving and removing rubbish from the seating areas) is carried out 2 to 3 times a week. In between those days, litter picks are done. In the autumn, for approximately 2 months, leaves are cleared from the paths. Bagged rubbish is cleared Monday to Saturday. During 2017, the Church will review this cleaning regime and see how it can be improved. By the end of 2017, the Church’s goal is to be in a position to set clear standards of cleanliness for staff to achieve. Graffiti has not been an issue in the garden, however, should it appear, removal will be carried out as soon as is practically possible by an appointed specialist contractor.

Vermin control is carried out by specialist contractors on a regular basis.

Horticultural management

The Church aims to achieve excellent horticultural standards through the regular and appropriate maintenance of trees, beds, hedges and containers, along with the planting of new and replacement trees, shrubs, hedges, herbaceous perennials, bulbs and annuals. Routine winter maintenance tasks such as leaf clearance, pruning and mulching will also be carried out. Pruning will be done not only to maintain the health and performance of the plant but also to improve the structure of the garden and introduce light, where necessary, to ground cover areas. The planting in the ‘green churchyard’ presents the challenge of dry shade and some of the planting has not performed well under these conditions. Where this is the case, the planting scheme is being amended. In addition, the Church wants to add more colour and character and progress has already been made to supplement the original scheme and this will continue during 2017.


Containers are located in the north courtyard where the market is and at the entrance to the garden and, as such, have a high profile and need to deliver impact. The planting in these containers can get a battering due to its location in an area of high pedestrian traffic. A review of the container planting schemes will be carried out in 2017 with a view to delivering improved impact, resilience and value for money. The Church will also look at ensuring that planters are not left empty for more than one week.

Maintaining a regular and appropriate level of moisture for plants is critical. An irrigation system was installed several years ago which now, in some areas, is not functioning. During 2017, these problems will be resolved and where necessary, containers and beds not covered by the system will be hand watered.

Grass The grass area is a major focal point of the garden and takes the form of four raised sections surrounded by paths. However it struggles with poor growing conditions - the dense shade of London Planes and poor drainage. Time has been spent in finding a turf mix which can cope with these conditions as well as in identifying an effective maintenance regime. Encouragingly, progress has been made on this front. The grass mix is Lindum LT7 Festival turf and is made up of: 25% dwarf perennial ryegrass, 35% slender creeping red fescue, 20% smooth stalked meadow grass, 20% chewings fescue. All the varieties used are named cultivars, highly rated for wear and disease tolerance, recovery and appearance. The grass will normally be cut twice a week, to a height of 4.5 cm. It will be edged once every six weeks during the growing season. In adverse weather conditions adjustments to this maintenance regime may change, for example, in hot weather, grass may be left to grow longer and require watering. The grass will be fed twice during the growing season and reseeded when necessary. Garden furniture and hard landscaping

In 2017, the Church will initiate a monthly inspection of the garden to ensure the safety of the site and identify repairs and renovations. Any urgent repairs will be carried out as soon as possible as long as funding is available.


4. Sustainability St James’s is committed to following environmentally-friendly practice and has signed up to the Church of England’s Shrinking the Footprint campaign and has gained a silver award for the ‘land’ category in the Eco Church initiative. Both these initiatives include the promotion of biodiversity on church sites. Currently, we have no alternative but to dispose of the majority of garden waste in general refuse bags as Westminster Council no longer takes commercial green waste. However, in 2016, the Church installed three large leaf and composting bins and, in 2017, will be investing in a shredder, all of which will increase our capacity for keeping green waste on site. The church is also investigating alternative options for recycling food waste. In 2014 St James’s introduced recycling bins which have been well used by the public. In terms of horticultural practice, the Church prioritises the use of cultural, physical and biological controls to combat pests and diseases, with chemical control only used as a last resort. Where they are available, the Church uses peat-free alternatives to traditional composts and soil improvers. The Church introduced an ethical procurement policy in 2016. In addition, driven by budgetary constraints, a lack of storage and a commitment to minimising waste, the Church carefully manages the purchase of any plants, materials and equipment for the garden. The Church recognises the need to ensure that developments in the garden are financial sustainable. It is also exploring further ways of generating income to cover the maintenance and development of The Southwood Garden. 5. Conservation and heritage St James’s Piccadilly is a Grade 1 listed building in a conservation area. The courtyard is surrounded by 7 mature London planes (Platanus × acerifolia) which all have tree preservation orders on them as does the acer. There is also a lime tree and magnolia in the courtyard. The Church is committed to maintaining the quality, character and heritage of its garden. It is currently exploring options for enhancing the overall site, a key element of which is to connect the garden more closely with the Wren church, both visually and through making it more accessible for visitors and more flexible for the hosting of events and other activities. The Church is also committed to the conservation of wildlife and encouragement of biodiversity despite the garden being a small and isolated green space. In 2016, the Church introduced its first Biodiversity Policy.


The garden habitat takes the form of walls and paving, grass lawns and flower beds

which contain a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennials, spring bulbs and

mature trees. It is surrounded on three sides by tall buildings.

The Church is developing the garden’s planting scheme to encourage a greater level of biodiversity, including extending the range of pollinator-friendly plants. It also is developing a wildlife friendly maintenance regime which supports the creation of mini habitats – piles of leaves, wood stacks etc and a healthy soil eco system rich in microorganisms. The Church has begun to monitor levels of biodiversity in the garden. It supports Westminster Council’s biodiversity plan* and took part in their most recent review of green spaces in the borough. St James’s also supports the Crown Estates Wild West End initiative. The Crown Estates used a rooftop nearby as a recording point to establish their baseline of wildlife activity. The findings included two types of bat - the common pipistrelle and the Leisler, a blackbird, blue tit, great tit, greenfinch, long tailed tit, song thrush and wren. *Westminster Open Space Strategy https://www.westminster.gov.uk/biodiversity-action-plan

6. Community involvement

St James’s Piccadilly is made up of many communities including the congregation, staff, market traders, concert performers, rough sleepers and visitors from London and beyond. Set, as it is in a commercial district, it does not have a large residential community on its doorstep. However, it does host a number of community and cultural events, such this year’s ‘Fun Palace’ – a celebratory festival of arts and science including pavement geology; a mini beast hunt; DNA science, labyrinth walking; bio-media meltdown; and a pop up choir!

This year, the Church is collaborating with a local West End gallery to host an outdoor exhibition of work by a celebrated British sculptor. This builds on a previous partnership with the gallery, Hauser & Wirth who showed contemporary sculpture in the garden until they relocated their gallery in 2013. The Southwood Garden, has been supported by its local community of businesses, including Bafta, UPS and Costa Coffee, for example, by providing staff for one off planting days as well as, in the past, for on going maintenance. Bafta has assisted the Church in developing the garden as an income generating venue.

The Church is keen to develop a volunteer gardening team to support the gardener and will explore options for this in 2017.

The Parish Church Council is kept fully up to date with developments in the garden.

7. Marketing

The Church wants to raise the profile of The Southwood Garden as a visitor attraction, a venue for community and cultural events as well as a venue for hire. The garden is featured on the Church’s website (http://www.sjp.org.uk/southwood-garden.html). The

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/biodiversity-action-plan

http://www.sjp.org.uk/southwood-garden.html


Church plans to review and renew the garden’s online presence by the end of 2017. Over the course of the year, an archive of garden photos will be developed to provide material for promotion.

8. Management and staffing

Since autumn 2013, St James’s has engaged the services of a professional gardener for 1.5 days a week to maintain the garden with assistance from 2 volunteers. This has improved standards of horticulture, hard landscaping and garden furniture and also introduced a level of planning and management. In 2015 the Church introduced its first management plan for the garden. The process of reviewing this plan and budget each year has helped the Church to establish a long-term view of its green space and raise the garden’s profile within the Church’s activities and future plans. St James’s Piccadilly is committed to the care and development of its ‘green churchyard’ for the enjoyment of all the communities it welcomes through its doors as well as as a symbol of its commitment to environmental responsibility at a local and global level.

Action plan 2017

General actions

Manage the impact of activities, events and developments on garden Throughout year

Develop relationships with potential partners/supporters Throughout year

Contribute to future, site-wide developments and ensure the garden is a key part of

any initiatives

Throughout year

Improve impact and sustainability of garden and planters Throughout year

Develop biodiversity and monitoring processes Throughout year

Promote the garden to the community, neighbours and visitors Throughout year

Improve monitoring and treatment of pests and diseases Throughout year

Prune small trees and shrubs as per specific requirements Throughout year

Specific actions

Take part in Big Garden Bird Watch Jan-17

Install addition bird box and move robin box. Trial two types of bird feeder. Jan-17

Instigate monthly bug monitoring. Jan-17

Instigate new volunteer expenses system. Jan-17

Instigate new monthly site inspection Feb-17

Discuss options for summer events in garden with relevant SJP staff. Feb-17

Plant winter/early spring plants in containers. Feb-17

Complete reinstatement of planting in area affected by building works. Feb-17

Complete bed (with mulch) outside windows of new restaurant opening in Feb Feb-17

Late winter pruning (Hornbeam, Amelanchier plus group 3 clematis). Feb-17

Complete restoration of flower bed edging. Mar-17

Plant summer bulbs. Mar-17

Reseed turf as necessary. Mar-17

Install water butts Mar-17

Complete upgrade of irrigation system Mar-17

Tree inspection Mar-17

Complete mulching beds Mar-17

Revise the narrow bed planting to improve provision for pollinators. Mar-17

Start to develop volunteer strategy. Mar-17

Evergreen pruning as appropriate including osmanthus hedging Mar-Apr-17

Replenish containers for Easter Mar-Apr-17

Mow grass and first feed Mar to Nov-17

Start feeding plants (observe requirements for individual species) Mar to Oct-17

Install stepping stones in beds to avoid compacting soil Apr-17Produce poster promoting garden for Piccadilly and Jermyn St notice boards Apr-17

Supplement the wildflower planting Apr-17

Repair benches as necessary Apr-17

Explore options for improving planters and making them more sustainable Apr-17Erect garden shed and create work area Apr-17EASTER 10-17 Apr-17

Feeding – phosphate and potassium May-17

Plant summer bedding in containers May-17Book in tree pruning inspection (for summer when in leaf) and pruning (in Nov) May-17

Update garden page on website and add garden to Google Places May-17

Complete plant labels Jun-17

Take part in BatFest Weekend Jun-17

Routine maintenance - deadheading, feeding, watering, monitoring for P&D and

continue through summer and autumn

Jun-17

Provisional: Sculpture show installed Jun-Nov

Take part in National Pollinators Awareness Week Jul-17

SUMMER GARDEN PARTY Jul-17

Moth Week 22-30 Jul-17

Review front bed planting Jul-17

Complete review of H&S policies and procedures applicable to the garden Jul-17

Replant containers for late summer/autumn interest Aug-17

Explore options for improving green waste management Aug-17

Carry out habitat survey and biodiversity audit Aug-17

Purchase spring bulbs Aug-17

National Missing Persons Week - planting to raise awareness Aug-17

Turf - final feed Sep-17

Plant spring bulbs Sep-17

Introduce biodiversity monitor system Sep-17

BatFest Sep-17

Repeat performance review of existing plants Oct-Nov-17

Review biodiversity policy and environmental, procurement and sustainability

policies

Oct-17

Start next year's annual year management plan Oct-17

Plant spring bulbs Oct-17

Mulch beds after leaf fall Nov-17

Review repairs needed to garden furniture Nov-17

Replenish containers for Christmas Nov-17

Aerate and top dress lawn Nov-17

Tree pruning - book in for 7 days Nov-17

Review planting and move and/or supplement plants as necessary Nov-17

Clean the bird boxes and inspect for damage Dec-17

CHRISTMAS DECEMBER (entire month) Dec-16

Improve the online promotion of the garden as visitor destination, venue for cultural

and community events and venue for hire.

Dec-17

Qunitissential Event Dec-17

Alternative Christmas Carols Dec-17

Outdoor Chrismas Carol concert Dec-17

Tasks and

Responsibilities

Site

managementGardener Verger* Volunteer Cleaner Contractor

Planning and

managementX X

Gardening X

Grass cutting X X

Mulch X X

Leaves on paving X X

Leaves on grass X X

Leaves on beds X X

Hard landscaping

maintenanceX

Jet washing X

Bench repairs X

X

Vermin control X

Watering containers X X

Bin clearance X

Litter picking X X X

Monthly site

inspectionX

Sweep paths and

steps

Budget forecast for January to December 2017

Routine maintenance and development costs

Horticultural, cleaning and maintenance services 10000

Volunteer expenses 1000

Plants, compost and other materials 4000

New garden equipment incl. shredder 500

Green flag application fee 560

New planters 1000

Complete bed edging 500

Upgrade irrigation system 440

Total 18000

Development jobs (dependent on funding)

Tree pruning incl. summer inspection (due in late Nov/early Dec) 6500

Repairs to garden furniture and hard landscaping 2000

New shed and upgraded work area, incl. installation 1500

Waters butts, incl installation 800

Development projects management costs 2000

Total 12800

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