Putney 'Garden Hero' Will Get Them Buzzing At Mount Court

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Volunteer Federico Filippi is planning to spend prize money to introduce bee-keeping

Age UK Wandsworth volunteer Federico Filippi has been named a ‘Garden Hero’ by the Capital Growth campaign for his work at Mount Court, a sheltered housing scheme in Putney.

Federico is a volunteer with the Garden Partners scheme, run by AUW, which links older people with volunteer gardeners for gardening and growing together.  Federico plans to spend his £250 prize on introducing bee-keeping at Mount Court, and can claim three free Capital Growth horticulture training sessions next year.

Federico has been working since the spring to transform three garden areas at the sheltered housing scheme, growing organic vegetables, fruit and herbs for the benefit of residents.

He has rekindled interest among tenants who thought their gardening days were over, but who are now joining in with growing and watering. Residents who have not tried gardening before are also getting involved.

A new greenhouse, donated by the Prince’s Trust, will allow Federico and his ‘team’ to grow a wide range of seeds next year.

Federico Filippi with Mount Court resident Betty

Garden Partners coordinator Sarah Jackson said: ‘Federico has worked really hard to get the growing project going at Mount Court and he has inspired many of the residents to get their gardening gloves on again.’

Federico commented: ‘It has been great to have had the opportunity to develop what will hopefully be a model agro-ecological project in the heart of Putney, and to have the involvement of the residents, other charities and the local community in making it happen.’

January 16, 2012