An gardening enthusiast is appealing for volunteers to help her transform a neglected public garden into a space that will benefit the community.

Artist and photographer Rita Gayford, of Hornsey Vale, was inspired to put her green - fingered talents to the test after she discovered the garden on the corner of Harold Road and Tottenham Lane had been left to “fall by the wayside.”  

Having spent hours tidying the space on her own, she decided to look for help and contacted cllr for Hornsey, Adam Jogee who put her in touch with Groundwork London - a charity helping residents to revitalise green spaces.

Rita met with Cllr Jogee, Cllr Elin Weston and Judy Hallgarten from the charity to begin clearing the space and to discuss ideas.

Rita and Judy now plan to take the project forward and are appealing for residents to lend a hand.

Rita said: “I first noticed Harold Garden when I first moved to the area. It had been left to fall by the wayside and  no one cared about it.

“I had an idea that this place could be a space that benefits the community.

“The idea is to make is a quiet place where people can go and be among plants and trees in the outdoors.

“I would like to connect people in the community. Many can be reluctant to speak to people they don’t know and I have noticed people sitting in the garden on their own so I always say hello.

“Hopefully, this project can be an icebreaker and lead to great things for Hornsey.”

Rita and Judy  want to get a group of volunteers together for regular gardening sessions in the new year, although the project is still in the planning stage

They plan to apply for charitable grants so they can buy equipment, a shed and new plants.  They would also like to pay a contractor to carry out some vital heavy duty work and clearing.

Keen gardener Rita trained in horticulture at Capel Manor College, Enfield in 2006. She is planning to plant a sensory garden with herbs and fragrant flowers once the space is up and running.

She said, “The physical and psychological benefits of having access to green spaces is well documented and I am keen to get the community involved in looking after the space.”

For the last two years the garden has been occasionally tended to by the Hornsey YMCA, with help from Groundwork volunteers  but Judy says “more needs to be done.”

She added: “Rita has also been bravely  battling the litter and weeds but it has now become overgrown, hiding the many  flowering plants, vegetables and fruit trees there, and needs some energy put into clearing and maintaining it.”

To get involved and to find out more please contact Judy at Groundwork: 020 7278 1514.