George Adams has helped transform the green space outside an Edmonton church

*The peace garden and (inset) George with his volunteers*

The Covid-19 pandemic helped us realise how much high-quality outdoor spaces can make a difference to our wellbeing – even the smallest of gardens.

Three years ago an outdoor space at St Peter’s Church in Bounces Road, Edmonton Green, had little to recommend it. For many years it had been ignored and only consisted of a few patches of scruffy grass.

But churchgoer George Adams saw the potential to do much more, and when new vicar Tina Kelsey arrived he sold her on his vision for the space. Since then George has helped transform it into a bright, colourful garden full of blooming flowers, bushes and trees in pots. Now the new ‘peace garden’ is a welcoming place where children and young people can learn more about horticulture.

Hydee Elysee nominated George as an ‘Enfield Community Hero’ because she felt he deserved recognition for his hard work. She said: “I would like to nominate George Adams for his good, loyal and caring work in keeping the peace garden blooming for the community.

“Three years ago the garden was deserted, there was nothing there. George put it all together, he is really devoted. People now stop to look with joy and leave with a smile.”

The St Peter’s peace garden now also has an educational function. Hydee explained: “There are youth offenders who now come every other week and they are learning about how to help manage the garden; he leads them.

“George has done so much work around the church, he is a real eco champion.”

George said he couldn’t have transformed the garden without the support of Reverend Kelsey. He said: “When she came along I suggested we do something with the outdoor space and Tina has been very supportive throughout the whole process. There are future plans to grow vegetables and other things.”

This article is the latest in our ‘Enfield Community Heroes’ series, sponsored by Edmonton Green Shopping Centre. Dispatch readers are welcome to nominate their own local hero – someone who has gone above and beyond to help support the local community. Simply email your nomination to [email protected].

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