Litter Free Norbury is a charity organisation dedicated to making improvements in our area and we are delighted to support a fantastic community initiative to undertake a renovation of what will become known as ''Maggie's Garden''.

This is an area located behind the Hermitage Lane Bus Stop on Green Lane, Norbury. In 2020 a project was undertaken that replaced existing fencing and installed a toilet (for use by Bus drivers) and a pathway leading to a small substation located inside the plot. It is understood that there was an idea at the time to dedicate the garden to the late Councillor Maggie Mansell, who sadly passed away in 2019.

However, over the past couple of years, it has been neglected, increasingly overgrown with weeds and brambles and become a hot spot for litter, fly-tipping and graffiti.

This campaign aims to fund the renovation of this space, including trees, plants and other required works, such as gate/fence repairs and the installation of water storage and compost bins. All works will be undertaken by a group of residents who aim to transform this overgrown and neglected space into a beautiful garden for the community to enjoy both from the street and the buses that pass by.

A local garden designer has donated her time to create a planting scheme that will have interest all year round and will be a haven for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

An initial target of £2,500 will cover the first phase of the project which will include:

The second phase (with an estimated additional £1,500 funding) will deliver:

The planting scheme has been designed to provide year-round colour and turn the garden into something truly eye-catching!

The renovated garden will then, as it was originally intended, be dedicated to the memory of Maggie Mansell.

With your help, we hope that we can create a garden that will lift the spirits of the Norbury community and suitably honour Maggie's memory.

About Maggie Mansell

Councillor Maggie Mansell was first elected to Croydon Council in 1986 as the representative for Norbury and Pollards Hill and served the area for 25 years.

Maggie was born and educated in Croydon and lived and worked in the borough all her

life. She unselfishly dedicated much of her life to public service, helping thousands of people resolve social care problems and community issues.

A larger-than-life lady, Maggie was passionate about her community, the NHS and nature. She was frequently seen in Norbury in her red coat and matching lipstick, campaigning for a local cause, or walking a dog for a resident who was too frail to go out. She was a trained biochemist and worked in healthcare. She regularly campaigned on NHS issues in which she had a better grasp than most.

She was still serving as the elected Councillor in 2019 when, after a short illness, she sadly passed away.

Please help us to honour this one-of-a-kind lady by donating to Maggie’s Garden.