Leo’s Garden: an oasis tucked above Tooting

Tooting has a new and delightful asset!

A new garden balcony for all the staff at the Tooting campus of South Thames College opened today in memory of Mumney Olusanya (or Leo, as he was better known). Leo was Facilities Manager at the Tooting campus, and died on the 31st October 2013. Leo’s Garden is a University and College Union initiative and was opened by Angie Birtill of the Trade Union Studies Centre.

Angie raising a fizzy apple juice as a toast to Leo’s memory

Spring bulbs were planted later today in memory of Leo, adding to the planting done over spring and summer this year – all funded by the volunteers themselves. As well as a memorial to Leo, the garden is consciously about health and safety – creating an attractive place for any college staff to boost their wellbeing during a busy day.

It’s an environmental project too: showing what can be done collectively by volunteers to make their surroundings at work come alive. Kate Turney from STC said the intention is “to support biodiversity by growing a mixture of flowers, vegetables and herbs which can turn a small concrete space into a greener cleaner wildlife friendly haven”.

Cutting the cake: “I now declare Leo’s Garden open!”

“This space is meant to be a green space in a very built-up area,” said Angie, “and it’s meant to be a place for the staff to relax. Leo was one of those people who made it good to come to work. He was kind, he was funny, he always did everything he could for you. When we sit here and we think of nice things, it’s Leo that we want to think about”.

Artura West, wood and stone carving tutor at the STC Wandsworth campus, designed and carved the ash plaque.

“If you look closely, you’ll see each “E” has a flowering motif, to keep the theme of the garden,” he said.

The view from the supermarket carpark – you’d never know the garden is there.

And look at the unusual views from the balcony (this one in July this year) – giving visitors a brand new new insight into Tooting.

More photos online courtesy of Dave Mauger at Tooting DailyPRSS here.

It was great to be invited to the opening of the Leo’s Garden – thank you!

We’re sure that other groups may like to do something similar at work or in their neighbourhood. TTT has a brand new project called Growing Tooting which can offer support to beginners or experienced gardeners who want to get growing together. Please get in touch with TTT to explore how we can assist….we look forward to hearing from you!

A new balcony for the staff at the Tooting campus of South Thames College opened today in memory of Mumney Olusanya (or Leo, as he was better known).

Leo was the Facilities Manager at the Tooting Campus, and died on the 31st October 2013. The aptly named Leo’s Garden was opened by Angie Birtill of the Trade Union Studies Centre, and is a University and College Union (UCU) initiative. Bulbs will be planted later today in memory of Leo.
The balcony has also been created as a green space, as demonstrated by the different flowers and plants dotted around the area
– See more at: http://tooting-news.dailyprss.co.uk/tabs/blog/preview/2015/10/leos-garden-opens-at-south-thames-college-in-tooting#sthash.tDWV7sDv.dpuf