The Garden

By the time I arrived, the cleanup was already underway and the garden was already looking good. The builders had ripped up the decking and trashed the flower boxes, but it was apparently still looking better than when the garden was first occupied. I'm told it served as a refuge for junkies and it took several days to be sure that all the old needles had been removed.

 

Here, two of the gardeners discuss their plans and the work that remains to be done.

 

The Reading Community Garden consists three buildings and a large garden a few minutes walk from Reading city center. Squatted and maintained by local activists, it provides a venue for a variety of local events, and a pleasant open space for the community.

 

Following an eviction by the council, activists reoccupied the site in November. These photos are taken during the clean-up operation launched to deal with the mess the builders had left behind. Sadly, I believe the garden has currently been evicted again to make way for student flats.

Done