Childs Hill Neighbors Tackle Air Pollution Through Gardening

Posted:
2:00 p.m. November 2, 2021

Neighbors of Childs Hill come together to fight air pollution and brighten the streets by planting flowers and trees.

Childs Hill Community Gardening has raised over £ 700 to make the area ‘greener for people, plants and wildlife’, with volunteers meeting weekly to plant trees and flowers.

Organizer Teresa Casal, 60, set up the community gardening project after moving to the area four years ago.

She told Ham & High: “When I got to Church Walk I noticed the children going to school and nursery and worried about the impact of air pollution and noise.

“I started to think about how we could get more trees here and I was able to get the council involved.

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“Plants not only reduce air pollution, but they also bring people of all ages together – people who want to learn more about gardening or who just want to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. “

Anton Diamond, 16, volunteers for his Duke of Edinburgh award
– Credit: Teresa Casal

The former banker, who later converted into an executive coach and yoga teacher, praised the role of her partner, Jonathan Stanley, whom she described as an “expert in plants”, in the organization of the project.

In October, 16-year-old Anton Diamond began gardening with the group as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award.

“It makes my heart leap with joy,” Teresa said. “The Vicar of All Saints Church, Robin Sims-Williams, is a big supporter and another nice neighbor, Brian, has lived in the area for over 40 years and is the quintessential community gardener, always in the sun or the sun. rain.”

She thanked Elaine Collins, Principal of Jack & Jill Preschool, who has looked after the All Saints Church Memorial Garden for over 30 years.

“A lot of wonderful things are happening, thanks to our volunteers,” said Teresa. “I didn’t do anything about other people here.”

Parisa Karbassi is one of the volunteers
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Barnet Council Environment Committee Chair Cllr Dean Cohen said: “It is always a pleasure to work with the Friends of Childs Hill Park. We can confirm that we have planted a number of new trees in the area and have recently opened a new picnic area for Childs Hill Park.

“We are delighted to invest in our parks to make them better spaces for everyone to enjoy. “

The venerable Mayor of Barnet Cllr, Alison Cornelius, helped plant a tree in Childs Hill
– Credit: Conseil Barnet

The Childs Hill Community Gardening Group meets every Thursday at All Saints Church at 9:30 am.

More information is available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/891333651334300

Donations can be made on Justgiving: https://tinyurl.com/childshill

Volunteers put plants around the trees
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Yoga teacher Teresa Casal said she was ‘thrilled’ the community came together
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Jonathan and Teresa have organized gardening projects around Childs Hill
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Childs Hill Neighbors Tackle Air Pollution Through Gardening
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Locals donated plants and seeds
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Jack & Jill Kindergarten Principal Elaine Collins has been a strong supporter of the project
– Credit: Teresa Casal

Volunteers meet every week to brighten up the neighborhood
– Credit: Teresa Casal