The TAG Roof GardenInstalled August 2013

Almost a year ago, TAG members began discussions focussed on the introduction of a roof garden, to be located beneath our Shepard Fairey artwork. Over Cafeteria coffee we began the momentum for a major project; one which would provide a steep learning curve, and with it a good few changes of heart. Yet the core ethos remained intact - to soften the street corner with vegetation and visual embellishment, create a bee-friendly pocket of London, and introduce positive emotions through natural formations.

This August we finished installation.

Many hands have helped to make this project work. Critically, we must mention the Community Development Foundation, and Community First - without whose funding this urban micro-garden would not have been possible. There is much ongoing maintenance to come; the spring and summer of 2014 a time when the full visual effect is most likely to be realised. Yet already the bees have found us. And the sight of various fronds waving in the cross wind a welcome diversion from brick and concrete.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Roof Garden takes shape

An eclectic mix of plants constitute the planting for our Roof Garden Project. A host of visiting bees have already logged their approval, as work begins transferring the flora to our recycled containers. Next stop...the roof.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

"…and a happy time we'll have there, one and all!"

So sang Burl Ives, in the 1963 Walt Disney Production - Summer Magic.

Fast forward fifty years, and a happy time was indeed had by all, at the TAG Bug Fest.

Blessed with some unusual summer sun, our array of fourteen Haringey Recycling bins soon found themselves resplendent with a growing menagerie of luminous, multi-legged, multi-winged creepy crawlies. And with the added incentive of delicious homemade muffins and pancakes, courtesy of Kitty, there was no excuse not to pick up a Molotow marker, and contribute to the fun.

These completed artworks will form the containers for our TAG Envision Peace Roof Garden, which now moves onto its next phase, and the careful selection of plants.

Many thanks to all those who came out and made this event an enjoyable community effort. Particularly pleasing was the sight of those individuals who initially declared "I can't draw," later to be found moving on to a second container, and their third or fourth insect. The buzz was contagious.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

TAG Bug Fest - two bee or not two bee?

Or is it a Gnat? We've got three amazing early bugs to start the Bug Fest...

What will Sunday bring?

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

TAG Envision Peace Roof Garden - a celebration of youth

[Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey]

After an interesting visit to our potential plant supplier, TAG have arrived at a suitable planting focus - the Hebe.

With around 90 species, this plant satisfies so many of the key requirements for our project:

Hardy
Pollution tolerant
Will thrive on our North-facing roof
Ideal for container gardening
Evergreen
And critically bee and butterfly friendly.

In fact, the Hebe is recommended by the RHS, and Gardeners Guild, among others, as bee-attracting.

In conjunction with our original proposal for Community First Funding (who have financed this project) our roof garden will feature a strong youth element, poetically-endorsed as Greek mythology proclaims Hebe to be the Goddess of Youth.

Work has begun modifying our stack of 'Haringey Recycles!' plastic bins. Now featuring a TAG grass cover design. And with a handful of Molotow markers arriving in the post, we're primed for next weekend's TAG Bug Fest.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Recycled Roof Garden - the raw material

We've begun the early stages of our Community First funded Roof Garden project.

Following  consultation with a potential partner, and locale Garden Centre, we will be using Haringey's now defunct recycling bins as our planters.

In their basic form they present an intriguing array of variable hues of green. To this we will be adding the TAG treatment - with a suitable surface artwork on each.

The next phase will include planting discussions and a plan to run a painting afternoon for children - where each box can be customised with motifs of their choice - including insects, animals and other assorted visual play.

TAG were also introduced to the concept of owning our own beehive. Location  is a key issue.  But the prospect of Turnpike Honey will hopefully drive to get one of our members on a day course before any bees arrive.

More to follow.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Bee creative

It's still early stages for the Turnpike Roof Garden project, with some useful feedback regarding planting. To that end, another avenue might be worth considering - environmental impact, and specifically the demise of the UK's bee population. As a small group, we have an opportunity to make a difference - by planting species such as lavender.

Below some info worth considering:

Friends of the Earth

• Bee numbers in Britain have fallen dramatically in recent years. Three bumblebee species are already extinct.
• Many factors are causing bees' decline - from habitat loss, to disease, to climate change. There is also growing evidence that some pesticides harm bees.

Bees are essential to our food supply, economy and quality of life:

• Bees pollinate 75% of our most vital crops and favourite foods.
• Without bees and other insects we'd also have 20% less vitamin C, 41% less vitamin A and 9% less calcium.
• Without bees it would cost UK farmers £1.8 billion a year to pollinate our crops.  
• That's more than it costs farmers to produce all the milk consumed in the UK every year.
• They're essential to our gardens, parks and countryside. 
• Bees and other insects help pollinate over 75% of our plants, which in turn are vital to our insects, birds and animals.

FOE have launched the Bee Cause

The Soil Association
Over the past few years there has been a massive, worldwide drop in bee numbers. In the UK, beekeepers report a one in three loss of bee colonies has occurred. It appears that we could be heading towards a global disappearance of bees. The consequences of this would be dire. It is estimated that one third of human food supplies depend on bee pollination.

The Lavender Project
As well as encouraging bees, Lavender has a scented benefit, and obviously a visual once. It is relatively low-maintenance, comes in a number of varieties, and will be safe from frost on the roof. Other insect-friendly, wild flowers could also be introduced.

Provence comes to Tottenham! Let's create a buzz.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.