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Back in 2022, a number of residents whose houses back onto or have their front doors opening on to Spencer Walk alleyway decided something had to be done.
The alley was not safe. The drains were blocked, rubble and old building materials along with other fly tipping items such as mattresses, fridges, furniture, clothing, rubbish and, of course, piles of dog poo were making the alley a health and safety risk. The final straw was the regular presence of rats.
A few residents contacted me as one of the Central Harbour ward councillors and I was keen to help. I contacted Thanet District Council’s (TDC) Streetscene Enforcement officers who helped remove fly tipped items over an extended period of time, and then a few residents and I swept and cleared the whole area.
Galvanised by the support from TDC and me, a small residents group began to take shape and so the greening began. Anything the residents could put compost in and plant up with flowers, trees and vegetables soon found its way along both sides of the alley. Neighbours who barely knew each other began to talk. Benches were made, garden tables and chairs appeared and on summer evenings and during the day, neighbours would sit, chat, plant, water and weed. Families with small children not only had a safe place to play but now had an extended family of other adults watching out for them.
Residents have also seen a reduction in crime and dog poo, because the alley now looks as if it belongs to residents and is clearly cared for.
The residents have set up a cooperative to progress ideas for the future and have developed a constitution. Their first get together happened just before Christmas. So far, they have organised a BBQ and decorated the alley for Christmas.
Additional benefits have been that residents now know each other better and have created a support network to try and help each other out. In addition, the alley is used by other locals who simply enjoy walking amongst so much biodiversity in a place you simply do not expect it. If the decision was made to gate the alley, the group want it to remain unlocked - it’s a people’s alley.
My fellow Central Harbour Ward Councillors Tricia Austin and Raushan Ara, and I would love to hear from other residents who want to transform their local alleys too. Councillor Tricia Austin said: “It is amazing what greening an alley can do to encourage bees and birds”. I commented that: “Residents had reported the presence of bats along the alley at night and believes this is due to an increased bug-food source for them.” I would like to add, “that with so much of our land being built on, we need to encourage greening projects like this however big or small. Spencer Walk now brings joy instead of despair.”
I nominated Spencer Walk Alley which scooped up the CleanUpUK’s Davina Hodson ‘Most Transformed Public Space’, a national award with a prize of £300 that the residents’ group can use for their alleyway.
We are blessed in Ramsgate with so many wonderful volunteers, groups and organisations that do so much in our community, so it was great to see one of them rewarded and recognised nationally.
Written by:
Councillor Becky Wing
Central Harbour Ward