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Maggie's Garden
A Community Project for Maggie Mansell
Maggie’s Garden is a community-led project that turned a once-neglected, litter-strewn piece of council land on Green Lane in Norbury into a welcoming, beautifully designed public garden.
Thanks to the generosity of local residents, over £4,000 was raised through fundraising, and with eight months of hard work from dedicated volunteers, the garden was brought to life.
Today, the garden is lovingly maintained by a small volunteer group, the Friends of Maggie’s Garden. If you’d like to get involved, we’d love your support—join us every Wednesday at 6pm.
Find the garden at the corner of Strathbrook Road and Green Lane ///gloves.birds.almost
This community garden was designed by local landscape gardener Margaret Woznica and is best enjoyed from the pavement. Once a fly-tipped eyesore, it has been transformed into a calm and beautiful space for passers-by – including those travelling on the 250 bus route – to pause and admire.
The garden is dedicated to the memory of the late Councillor Maggie Mansell, a much-loved former Mayor of Croydon and councillor for Norbury for over 25 years. Maggie’s commitment, energy, and passion for public service were unparalleled, and her sudden passing in 2019 was deeply felt by all who knew her.
This space stands as a living celebration of her legacy in Norbury – a place of beauty, reflection, and community spirit.
Official Opening
The garden was officially opened in September 2023 by the Deputy Civic Mayor, Croydon’s Executive Mayor, and Sir Trevor McDonald, with more than 100 people attending the ceremony.
Where to Find Us
You’ll find the garden on Green Lane, near the junction with Strathbrook Road, beside the Hermitage Lane bus stop.
👉 View on Google Maps
Discover More
Follow the journey of Maggie’s Garden and keep up to date with our latest news on Instagram @maggiesgardennorbury
You can also read more about the life and legacy of Maggie Mansell here.
Maggie’s Garden: Two Years On
It’s now been two years since we first transformed Maggie’s Garden, and we’re excited to share that we’re planning a small upgrade to keep the garden thriving.
One of our biggest challenges has been the lack of a water supply. During this record-breaking hot summer, keeping the plants alive has been tough. We currently collect rainwater in a 1,000-litre tank, but it simply isn’t enough.
That’s why we’re now fundraising for a second tank to help us store more rainwater and keep the garden looking its best all year round.
We’d also love to bring more colour and life to the garden by introducing a new selection of plants. Here’s what we’ve chosen:
🌹 Peter Beales (Shrub Rose)
🌼 Achillea 'Moonshine'
🌼 Achillea millefolium
🌺 Geum 'Mrs J. Bradshaw'
🔥 Kniphofia 'Poco Orange'
🌺 Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet'
🌿 Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum'
🌻 Helenium 'Rubinzwerg'
🌱 Ricinus communis ‘Carmencita’
🌸 Hybrid AOA Lilies (pink/white)
To help these plants thrive, we also plan to cover the garden with a nourishing mushroom mulch, which will lock in water and improve the soil.
We estimate the total cost of this upgrade to be around £900. If you are in a position to contribute, we would be deeply grateful for your support.
💚 Donate to Friends of Maggie’s Garden
Sort code: 04-14-50
Account number: 63514525
Thank you for helping us keep Maggie’s Garden growing beautifully for the whole Norbury community.
