‘I don’t mind if it rains or freezes’

West Londoners brought some joy amid miserable weather when they gathered for a work party at A Rocha UK’s Wolf Fields scheme – to help transform this wasteland into a community garden.

They were closely followed by landscape gardeners who then finished off much-needed pathways that will lead visitors to all the essential elements of the site.

Despite recent rainstorms, more than a dozen supporters spent over three hours removing large bags of rubbish, cutting back brambles and clearing overgrowth at Wolf Fields.

‘Most local people came well prepared, bringing their own tools as well as food and drink,’ said Community Worker Kailean Khongsai. ‘Lunchtime was amazing. People chatted, shared food and exchanged contact details.

‘It’s encouraging to see so many willing to brave the winter weather and volunteer their time to serve the community,’ he added. One participant said, ‘We’re working for the benefit of our own community, and I don’t mind if it rains or freezes’.

They were followed later by Southampton company Stonewood Landscaping, who completed the construction of paths started a year ago. They created the pathways, surfaced them and even tested them out with a wheelchair, to make sure a wide range of people could enjoy the benefits of Wolf Fields.

‘The idea is that the paths are accessible for everyone, irrespective of disability or not,’ said Conservation Director Andy Lester. The landscapers also levelled out other parts of the site to make it more accessible for planting, and dug a pond. ‘They know what A Rocha UK are about, and were very imaginative and creative in helping us,’ added Andy. (Photos: Kailean Khongsai and Becky Vickers)