DALSTON EASTERN CURVE GARDEN
Words by Jessica Peace
THE RIGHT TO GREEN SPACE
Eight years ago this Hackney sanctuary was just a train track and a pile of rubble; Marie Murray and Brian Cummings have been there since then, cultivating and coordinating their green space dream. These plant heroes think green space is a right - Amen to that. They dreamt up and made a patch for us all to come, kickback and get some headspace - VERY green head space.
The Eastern Curve is, well a ‘curve’, so although you can unwind beneath the leaves, this is a shared space, another thing that was important to Marie and Brian; this is a garden for people to meet people they wouldn’t normally crash into, bringing us together between the blooms.
A REAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Apart from the plants this place has a bangin’ ethos, it’s run as a social enterprise - basically, the only money it gets is from the cafe’s till and that only goes into the pockets of the staff, the outreach events (so they are mostly free for us) and back into the garden - pretty f’kin rare that is.
AND you actually don’t have to buy anything to hang out there (but if you can, get yourself a cuppa once in a while). The garden has become such a part of Dalston community that when Hackney’s elected Mayor Philip Glanville was drumming up votes he put protection of the Eastern Curve in his manifesto.
WHAT’S GROWING?
Right now you’ll cop an eyeful of cosmos, lashings of lavender and herbs, plums, apples, grapes, tomatoes and a lovely hazelnut tree. This patch is known for it's show of spring bulbs so remember to get down to the Curve for some cheering up when you’re dragging yourself through the arse end of winter.
GET LIVELY
There’s alot going on at the Curve, right now there’s a little festival put on every Tuesday night by Woodburner. If you fancy something more daytime and you’ve got kids then ‘Double Bass Dan and Friends’ will see you right on a Friday morning.
BUT one of the things that’ll make the slide into Autumn a bit less depressing is halloween at the Eastern Curve, there’s a weekend of pumpkin carving and a whole week of lights - see you there. (Check out their Events Page)
FANCY MUCKIN’ IN?
Volunteering is on a ‘just turn up’ basis on Saturday afternoons 2-5pm. Bulb planting begins soon...
HOW MUCH?
Free as mate.
GET ME THERE?
Jump off the overground at Dalston Junction or Dalston Kingsland.
Buses... the 30, 38, 56, 242 and 277 all stop outside the garden - ask the driver to give you a shout.
Bike racks outside.
LET ME IN
Check before you leave the house, these are ‘summer’ opening times…
Mon/Tue 11am-7pm
Wed/Sun 11am -10pm
@EasternCurve
http://dalstongarden.org/