Red Cross Garden Christmas fayre rounds off Octavia Hill centenary

Canon Bruce Saunders, sub dean of Southwark Cathedral, switched on the Christmas tree lights and led carol-singing round the tree.

Canon Saunders said: "All I really need to say is to remind you that the Bible begins in a garden, Jesus spent his last night praying in a garden, and the climax of the Easter story happens in a garden too. So for the Christian church, gardens are important and good.

"That's what inspired Octavia Hill, whose centenary we've been celebrating this year... She knew that people who live closely together also needed open spaces, breathing spaces, beautiful places – that's why when she built those cottages, she also built this garden...

"She would, I'm sure, be thrilled beyond words to see this beautiful garden now restored, full of adults and children celebrating the birth of Jesus who was her inspiration in all she undertook and all she achieved."

During the year Octavia Hill has been commemorated with a memorial service at Southwark Cathedral and a revival of the Southwark flower and vegetable show she created.

Bankside Open Spaces Trust has hosted a Christmas tree every year at Red Cross Garden since the garden was restored.

This year the tree was sponsored by local residents and Borough Market and will remain in place throughout the Christmas season.

• BOST is inviting locals to join a post-Christmas workday at Red Cross Garden on Sunday 30 December to spread mulch and plant bulbs and get to know each other better in the open air.