A Ramsgate alleyway that was transformed from a fly-tipping hotspot into a beautiful community garden has won a CleanupUK award.
Spencer Walk was crowned ‘Most Transformed Public Space’ at the inaugural Davina Hodson Awards.
Spencer Walk was plagued with dumped mattresses, rubble, fridges, piles of dog mess and rats and blocked drains. But in 2022 residents with properties along the alley decided action had to be taken.
Under the leadership of resident Mabelle Peñalver, and with the support of a local resident’s group and ward councillors Becky Wing, Tricia Austin and Raushan Ara, the space has been transformed into a beautiful haven of greenery, peace, and tranquility. Through their efforts, the community has created a space that not only looks beautiful but fosters a sense of safety, togetherness, and pride and well as being a wildlife haven.
Talking to The Isle of Thanet News at the first official Spencer Walk event in September, Mabelle said: “The spreading of community engagement has affected local biodiversity. We now have a growing number of insects, pollinators, birds and bats as well as a diverse group of people who have been brought together.”
Residents Michelle and Neil Coombs added: “We started putting out a few pots and then happily it escalated into a better and more welcoming environment where people now come and sit, chat and contemplate. It’s like plant therapy for people and it’s brought our community together.”
The residents of Spencer Walk have become friends and supportive neighbours, regularly organising community events and gatherings in their shared space.
Kent County Council has said the alley can be gated if all residents and property owners agree. If this goes ahead the Spencer Walk group says a request would be for it to remain unlocked as the area is now a ‘people’s alley.’
The residents have set up a co-operative with a constitution so they can progress further plans.
Cllr Wing said: “I nominated Spencer Walk as it represented the very best of our community and it was a great fit for the category.
“The community of Ramsgate, which I have been part of since 2010, is quite simply exceptional and when they come together as volunteers special things happen, you can see examples all over our town which is made much richer as a consequence.
“Receiving this award is just another example of the fabulous efforts made by locals all over our community, I am so pleased for the residents involved and us as a town with such a great community.”
The mission of CleanupUK is to bring communities together to create shared spaces that are cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone. The award committee board was incredibly impressed by the energy, collaboration, and care that went into this project, and awarded Spencer Walk Gardens with a £300 prize in recognition of their hard work and dedication.
The Davina Hodson Memorial Awards, named after a CleanupUK supporter who left a legacy gift to the organisation, celebrates those who have made the most significant and joyful contributions to their communities.
For more information about the Davina Hodson Memorial Awards and how you can get involved with CleanupUK, visit CleanupUK’s website. www.cleanupuk.org.uk
Lovely. Well done everyone 👍
This is the Ramsgate I know.
Brilliant initiative.
You live in an alleyway?
Try praising the efforts of those residents instead of trying to be clever Mr. C.
Like you haven’t?
Wonderful….as usual the council tax paying public sorting out one of our many shrub overgrown,weed ridden,unswept,graffiti covered alleyways.TDC failing again.If you leave an alleyway looking like a dump it will become one.TDC needs to be placed in Special Measures.There are alleyways so overgrown with shrubs that the cannot be walked through.
Used to have digs at number 40 Spencer Square,when there was a garage at the rear with access from Townly street.
I love what they have done! Hopefully it catches on but will the flytippers ever stop!
Brilliant, well done everyone involved.
lovely job , but i wonder how long it will stay as nice ?, anything good in ramsgate is usualy vandalised .
Amazing work! Looks brilliant.
This is wonderful and reflects the hard work of a group of residents. There are a number of alleys and hidden pathways where like minded community groups could create something special!
In most councils the idea is, if you keep alleyways clean it reduces grafitti, litter and fly tipping down.It is only our TDC that havent realised this.They are totally incompetent and lack vision.
Excellent work; it looks absolutely lovely. Well done to all concerned