Blog
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Simply the best – 2025!
With each passing year Bandstand Beds Association (BBA) goes from strength to strength, and in 2025 we received amazing recognition of our work on Clapham Common. For the third year running we were awarded ‘Outstanding’ in RHS London in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood. Then in November, it was announced in The Gazette that BBA had
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Preserving the Harvest: A Pickle-perfect Workshop
With an absolute abundance of cucumbers at the community garden lately, I couldn’t have been more delighted to share one of my family’s recipes with our wonderful BBA members. With cucumbers, dill, chillies and onions fresh from our beds, we had ten eagerparticipants sign up for a morning of pickling – really showing how simple
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Another fantastic year!
At the end of each year, I’m always amazed at just how much has been achieved by Bandstand Beds Association (BBA), and 2024 was no exception. Our organisation goes from strength to strength, and it’s an absolute pleasure to feel part of this incredible community asset on Clapham Common. When I first became a BBA
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Spring Ready
There’s never a dull moment at Bandstand, even during the winter months. There’s always something to keep our regular team of gardeners busy. From pruning to planting, generally prepping for the growing season ahead – and more! As well as our community garden we also take care of the beds beside the café at the
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BBA Chair’s Review 2013-24
Last year was very special for Bandstand Beds as it marked our 10th anniversary on Clapham Common. From our humble beginnings it has been an incredible journey so far, with many significant milestones along the way. I became a BBA member back in 2013, when the growing year began with a squash and bean swap
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10 years and counting!
It’s been a big year for Bandstand Beds celebrating ten fruitful years gardening on Clapham Common. And it all began back in 2013 with just a few raised beds beside the café at the Bandstand. Since then, we’ve been busy gardening most Saturdays, growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables, as well as supporting
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A year at Bandstand Beds
Here at Bandstand Beds,we often talk about the growing season, which runs from the beginning of April until the end of September. We usually kick things off with a seed sharing and sowing session in the garden, and this year were thrilled to partner with Heathbrook Primary School by holding a Good to Grow 22
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Bandstand Beds Feast 2022
Each year we like to mark the end of the summer with our feast, and this year was no different. For the second time in a row we made the feast a ‘car free celebration’ and on the 24th September brought community organisations together to celebrate the year’s harvest. Preparing for the feast We start
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Summer pruning
By the end of July, the plum and damson trees at our community garden are laden with fruit – ready for making jam, chutney or picking for a snack on a hot day. Therefore, we thought it would be good to welcome back Patrick McCabe, to host a follow up session from the pruning workshop
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Common People 2022
On Saturday 4 June we held our first public event of the year, Common People. This free annual event at Clapham Common’s iconic Bandstand began back in 2014, with the aim of bringing people together and celebrating the local community’s talent. The day featured live musical performances on the Bandstand and stalls held by local