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RISC’s Dave Richards and Mary Tindall in the roof garden
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RISC garden raising the roof

By Linda Fort
June 04, 2009

A garden with a conscience in the heart of Reading lost out on a national award yesterday.

The Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC) roof garden had been shortlisted in the new Ethical Garden category of the Observer Ethical Awards.

RISC planted an “edible forest” on the flat roof above its conference hall in 2001 when it was forced to replace the structure because it was leaking.

The RISC team worked with local permaculture garden designer Paul Barney to create a garden to reflect the charity’s mission to raise awareness of local-global connections and the need for everyone to reduce their “environmental footprint”.

Gardener Mary Tindall, who has shaped the development of the garden over the past four years, said: “It is great that other people love our garden as much as we do – there’s something for everyone.

“Experienced gardeners are excited by our more unusual plants, others are looking for ways to make their lifestyles more sustainable, kids love the tastes, smells and winding paths… and everyone is astounded we can grow mature trees on 30cm of soil.”

Education outreach worker at RISC Dave Richards said: “We want to demonstrate that we can all be part of the solution [to climate change] and our gardens can be a key ingredient in reducing our environmental footprint – growing our own food, composting organic waste, diverting rainwater into our gardens rather than storm water drains.

“The University of Reading also has a remote weather station on the roof which will measure the benefits of green roofs in reducing the warming of our towns and cities.

“We get hundreds of visitors every year, including architects and planners, so being nominated for the award will help us bring this message of practical action to more people”.

The garden can be reached through the World Shop or Global Café in London Street and is open to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Swindon’s Lower Shaw Farm was the eventual winner.

- The roof garden is next open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12 from noon until 4pm. Entry is £2.50 and free for children.

lfort@reading-epost.co.uk

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