Grow the Line is part of the Peckham Coal Line Project which aims to create a green path along the disused coal line between Queens Road Peckham and Rye Lane. Here is an update on their current events and a big thank you to all supporters. Photo © Nick Woodford

The idea for the Grow the Line project began over a year ago as a way to mark the route of the proposed Coal Line. With generous donations of wood, paint and other materials, our team of volunteers constructed the four huge planters last year. These were then decorated with the beautiful motifs and winning designs that came from our ‘Make Your Mark’ workshop at Peckham Festival. Finally, on Earth Day 2017 they were positioned, filled and planted in their new home, as part of the successful Re-Imagining event at Bidwell Street. They now take pride of place, filled with beautiful plants, in front of the Artful Dodger’s brilliant new graffito celebrating the Coal Line and herald the northern entrance to the often overlooked green corner of the adjacent Kirkwood Nature Reserve, itself a key element of the Coal Line route.

We welcomed around 200 interested locals to the Bidwell Street event, and escorted many of them on a walking tour of the Coal Line route from Rye Lane. Then, warmed by Pickling Peckham Penny’s home-made foraged nettle soup and bread (still warm from her oven!), and serenaded by some amazing drummers, we were able to discuss many aspects of the Coal Line and what it could mean to locals as well as getting them involved in some of the activities we’d laid on. One of the most popular elements of the Bidwell Street event was our Coal Line raffle. Delighted supporters with winning tickets walked away with some wonderful prizes, donated by many of you. £345 were raised to support future Coal Line events. Already on the horizon is our participation at the Nunhead Cemetery Open Day and we are very excited about how to make another splash at Peckham Festival in September.

Signing off with a huge thank you for your goods, prizes, time, space or energy that have given such a lift to our recent activity. It would not have been possible without you.

Join Peckham Coal Line at the festival:

Friday – Peckham Coal Vibes / Saturday – Flag-making Workshop / Sunday – Parade of Flags