Parks minister visits Waterloo community garden project

The churchyard has Green Flag status and last year won a silver gilt award at the London in Bloom competition.

St John's community gardener Viv Williamson works with volunteers and Lambeth Council to look after the churchyard which provides an oasis from the noise and traffic of Waterloo Road.

"I really wanted to see this fantastic example of a community green space in a largely urban area," said Rishi Sunak MP, under-secretary of state at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government with responsibility for parks and green spaces.

He toured the churchyard on Thursday with St John's vicar Canon Giles Goddard and lead garden volunteer Philippa Owen.

The minister was invited to plant a tamarix shrub to mark his visit to the garden.

He also met Daniel Gregory of St John's employment project The Bridge at Waterloo which is working with Roots & Shoots to provide education and apprenticeships in horticulture and floristry.

During the visit Mr Sunak chatted with staff from Lambeth Landscapes who also care for the garden.

• To find out about joining the St John's garden volunteers, email [email protected]