6 minute read
Malcolm X: Secret
from Issue 21
THE MALCOLM X SECRET GARDEN A SECRET THAT WANTS TO BE SHARED
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Deep in the heart of the City, hidden from plain sight lies a secret! Who would have suspected that the Malcolm X Centre has a garden, a long forgotten patch, surrounded by high stone walls that seem to act as a magical barrier to the noise and hustle and bustle of city life.
Over this past year, this long forgotten garden has been revived by a team of dedicated volunteers; coordinated by Judith (Flourishing in St. Pauls and Friends of St.Paul's Luxuriance) and Michelle (Business Operations Manager for the Malcolm X Centre and Friend of St.Paul's Luxuriance). You may all be familiar with the good work that Judith is doing in the St.Pauls area, her guerilla gardening tactics are bringing vegetation, edible and otherwise to many of the abandoned patches of earth that still exist in this area and most impressive is that she is doing this just because she wants to, and she is making a huge difference to this area. Also involved in this project are Imayla Wildly Different, (an organisation based at St.Pauls Learning Centre that offers fun and learning opportunities for young people, families and groups combining creative arts and environmental activities inspired by the natural environment), whose children and families have been using the garden over the summer for creative workshops, planting, growing and building. The garden now has a great bench that was made by the Imayla group.
The Corona Virus pandemic and the lockdown imposed in March 2020, completely changed the lives of everybody, and that, for most people, coupled with the changes that Brexit has caused, brought fear, isolation, and economic struggles, with job losses and rising living costs, and people confined in extremely ‘challenging’ domestic environments. And the music and entertainment industries also suffered greatly, with higher import taxes and visa requirements and nowhere to go to perform, and nowhere for us to go out and relax and be distracted from the pandemic pressures. On top of that it became clear that the NHS was gravely underfunded, with underpaid nurses, carers and doctors, fighting on the frontline yet unable to give the ‘medical services’ still needed for the overall health and wellbeing of all. Also in the US the murder of George Floyd, sparked anger across the globe and impressed the need to really address the ongoing effects of ‘institutionalised racism’, that is so pervasive within our institutions and social structures. On top of that, a distrust of media coverage and information - has led to ‘insecurities’ and questions; What is the truth and what is not? Who can we trust? Are the government really looking after our better interests?
On the other side of this, as the roads became silent, and the pace of life slowed down, nature reawakened, freed from the polluting atmospheres and the consumer drive. People noticed this revival of nature, a resource necessary for our lives, yet as we know from the M32 Maple of a hindrance, to be cut down in the name of progress, despite the necessity to have trees so that we can breathe.
thus far produced apples, tomatoes, lettuce, raspberries, parsnips and grapes. It has hosted many guests, including Elders from the community. We have chatted with them about herbs and natural remedies, hoping to include medicinal herbs in the garden. Children have graced the grass with their laughter and play with groups such as Imayla, and Play Wooden CIC, all age ranges from the young to the old including the Malcolm X Elders who were involved with the garden a few years ago, however other commitments drew them away and they are looking to come back soon. The garden holds an air of wellbeing and the walls around it really do help you to forget that you are even in a city, it is a beautiful, ‘secluded’ and indeed magical Secret Garden, making it a perfect place to host mental health support groups, children's activities and workshops. Or just simply a place to come and relax that can be used by families and host low key performances. I would like to see the garden powered by solar energy for those moments when one might have a band or small dj set and Play Wooden are designing some cover for those wetter days that we get in this country. The Secret Garden would like to open its doors and invite
thus far produced apples, tomatoes, lettuce, raspberries, parsnips and grapes. It has hosted many guests, including Elders from the community. We have chatted with them about herbs and natural remedies, hoping to include medicinal herbs in the garden. Children have graced the grass with their laughter and play with groups such as Imayla, and Play Wooden CIC, all age ranges from the young to the old including the Malcolm X Elders who were involved with the garden a few years ago, however other commitments drew them away and they are looking to come back soon. The garden holds an air of wellbeing and the walls around it really do help you to forget that you are even in a city, it is a beautiful, ‘secluded’ and indeed magical Secret Garden, making it a perfect place to host mental health support groups, children's activities and workshops. Or just simply a place to come and relax that can be used by families and host low key performances. I would like to see the garden powered by solar energy for those moments when one might have a band or small dj set and Play Wooden are designing some cover for those wetter days that we get in this country. The Secret Garden would like to open its doors and invite
the community to come and enjoy this space. The garden is already working its magic in bringing different community groups together, and it wishes for this place to be a place for the people that matter, the community, where we can reconnect with nature and with each other, and maybe with ourselves as well. It may rain, and be miserable and grey in the UK, however the Caribbean sun shines strongly on this Secret Garden, under the protection of the walls of the Malcolm X centre in the heart of St. Pauls.
