I first came across Mikey Tomkin’s Edible Map of Croydon over a year ago via my friend Andrea. I was intrigued by his idea of feeding the 1,425 residents of 25 hectares of London’s most popular borough purely on food grown within these limits, especially considering that actually I knew two such denizens, my friends Justin and Dan.
I got in contact with Mikey on a whim, and subsequently passed on the guys’ emails - they had already started to convert the bit of council-owned turf in front of their flat into a vegetable patch, and were enthusiastic about engaging with Mikey’s vision for the “urban nightmare” and “concrete mess” that is my beloved hometown.
Things might not have progressed much further if our green-fingered friend Clarkey hadn’t moved in and taken full control of the aforementioned plot, and spurred on by her success in growing courgettes, pumpkins, sweetcorn and tomatoes herewithin, in June she met up with Dr Mikey to talk about setting up a garden on top of Surrey Street Carpark.
As it turned out, this wasn’t quite as practical as it first seemed (apparently soil and water aren’t just “nice to have”, but quite essential), but a few months later and Clarkey is attempting to realise at least a modest aspect of the Edible Map vision. In a time of zero public money and the (alleged) breakdown of society, she may have her work cut out, but her idea is to “put the ‘jungle’ back into ‘concrete’” and create a community gardens local residents can own, grow in, and enjoy (without council bureaucracy or outsourced contracts getting in the way). You can find out how she gets on through her blog, croydonjungle.
Meanwhile, Dr Tomkins has turned his attention towards Hackney…
YOU ARE HUNGRY: MAPPING AN EDIBLE URBAN HACKNEY investigates how much food can be grown on 25 hectares of south Hackney.
Between 05 – 20th September 2010 Mikey will be conducting edible walks around Hackney using the edible map as a guide.
To book a place Visit the SPACE gallery website Booking is FREE but essential!
…which funnily enough is where Andrea, Dan, Justin (and my bad self) have ended up. Funny how these things work out.
![“Top o’ the Mourning” - London 2 - Dublin 1.
Went down to Book Club last Friday to see the Secret Wars Euroleague QF first leg clash, with the home team facing three of Ireland’s finest.
For those of you unaware of the original format, two combatants have a blank white canvas, 90 minutes and a generous supply of black marker pens to win the crowd (and judging panel)’s affection - think Rolf’s Cartoon Club meets 8 Mile.
In its latest incarnation, teams of three representing major European cities (plus Southampton*) having been battling à la Champions League to be crowned Kings/Queens of Europe.
London will be be heading over to the Irish capital this Saturday (28th) for the crucial second leg - click the photo for details of this and all future fixtures…
[*sorry southamptonians, gratuitous, I know]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7rqbwzFfV1qzwol4o1_500.jpg)
