Since 2020, Friends of Gipsy Hill have been collaborating with local businesses and working hard, with the support of the community, to give Gipsy Road some much-needed love and attention. Read on to find out more!
Creating a Warm Welcome
With the support of the local community and traders, FoGH secured funding in spring 2020 to install lamppost banners off the Paxton roundabout, creating a friendly welcome at the entrance to Gipsy Road. After a call out to all local talent (of any age!) for artwork connected to the theme ‘eat, drink, entertainment’, 4 designs were selected to brighten the area, capture the spirit of Gipsy Hill, and represent all our great restaurants, pubs and shops.
In summer 2023, a new competition is being launched for artwork to replace the existing banners. Find out more here.
Screening & Greening
After a busy community day building, painting and planting, FoGH’s first set of planters were installed outside Gipsy Road businesses in spring 2021. Lambeth Council and Veolia UK supplied the wood and compost (and also demonstrated how to build the planters!), with Caffé Luna, Gipsy Rose Cafe and Star Nails volunteering to help look after them.
That same year, with the support of local businesses, FoGH collaborated with Lambeth Council and Father Nature to find ways of improving the general streetscape, supporting local traders, adding even more greenery, and finding a way to hide those pesky commercial bins! In autumn, the large commercial bins along Gipsy Road were screened off and housed in custom-built enclosures, with planters built in. Designed to maximise planting space while keeping the pavements fully accessible, the new planters help keep the street tidy, designate and safe locations for commercial bins, and create new planting areas for the community to enjoy.
The greening project was even included on the Love Lambeth website – read all about it here!
Paxton Parklet
In 2022, FoGH worked again with Father Nature to design and install the Paxton Parklet, just outside Paxton Vets. With planters and seating, the Paxton Parklet is the perfect space for meeting friends and catching up with neighbours!
Keeping Gipsy Road up to date…
In 2023, FoGH initiated a new, purpose-designed and built noticeboard for sharing community news and keeping local residents up to date on what’s happening in and around Gipsy Hill. Got something you want to post on the Gipsy Road noticeboard? Contact us with details and for more information (maximum size for posters/signs is A5).
…and helping it look its best!
In addition to bigger projects, FoGH continue to arrange ad-hoc litter-picking activities and the removal of fly-posted stickers to help keep Gipsy Road looking at it’s best!
What’s next?
We have lots of ideas for future projects along Gipsy Road, and would love to hear suggestions from the community too! All of the new greening projects along Gipsy Road also need care and attention from the local community, so we’re always looking for watering volunteers. Want to share ideas or get involved? Get in touch!
Friends of Gipsy Hill 