A community effort is bringing new life to Fulham Cemetery after local volunteers have planted hundreds of spring bulbs along its historic pathways.
Members of the Friends of Fulham Cemetery worked alongside pupils from local St John's Walham Green primary school to plant 300 native bluebells and snowdrops.
The initiative, supported by a H&F Climate Action Microgrant, helps beautify the green space and improve its biodiversity to benefit park users and local wildlife.
"Our volunteers worked really hard to make the bulb planting a success," said Francois Jordaan, chair of the Friends Group. "We dug holes and readied the ground for planting. It's exhausting work, so every volunteer counts!"
The microgrants offer between £250 and £500 to support any resident or local group in getting their eco-initiative off the ground.
Residents can apply online to get started or watch on YouTube how other microgrant winners have put the financial boost to use.
Next generation of green thumbs
"The children cannot wait to see the flowers they planted bloom in spring," said teacher Sedef Celikcan, who is passionate about educating the next generation about protecting our local environment at St John's Walham Green.
"Some of them are 'eco-councillors' and know the importance of helping the biodiversity of their area. Others actually walk through Fulham Cemetery to get to school. They are keen to report the progress to their friends!"
The school's eco-council leads impressive environmental projects year-round including campaigns to ban single-use plastics, organising clothes swaps and raising funds for Rainforest UK.
Their efforts to cover environmental topics in the classroom and make their school grounds more sustainable recently earned them a Green Flag – with distinction.
Their next project will see them open an eco-refill shop at the school later this month. It follows White City's successful school shop launch where pupils manage everything from sales to stock.
Getting stuck in
Students from The Hurlingham Academy have also been hard at work gardening in Hurlingham Park.
Fifteen green fingered volunteers, aged 11-12, de-weeded part of the park's border before planting 420 native saplings through December and January – helping to boost the site's biodiversity. The saplings will eventually grow and be shaped into a hedge, running along Hurlingham Road.
