Official opening for Kilburn Library Garden

Launch of Kilburn Library's new garden L-R: Xing Situ, Janise Denselow, Karys Al-Khoun, 6, Jay Venn and Lucy Bell (Image: Jonathan Goldberg)

Kilburn Library Garden was officially re-opened on Saturday following months of hard work.

Residents and volunteers came together for a special ceremony to celebrate the garden’s re-birth and plans for its future.

The initial idea for a garden was conceived five years ago after a team of residents decided to transform a derelict space at the back of the building into an outdoor area for gardening, relaxing and reading.

But a major refurbishment of the building last year meant the volunteers from Friends of Kilburn Library Garden (FKLG) were unable to complete their work and had to make several changes to the space to bring it up to scratch.

However, following months of weekend work from the group of volunteers, the new space was officially opened on Saturday 18.

Jay Venn, chair of FKLG, said it was “fantastic” to see the area re-open.

She told the Times: “It was a brilliant day and fantastic to see so many people there.

The volunteers have worked heroically to get this garden ready.”

The group are now raising funds to be able to build a children’s area in the garden and are also encouraging residents to come and learn about gardening by helping them with planting.

Part of the funds for the garden were also paid for with Brent Council ward working money and Cllr James Denselow, a Queen’s Park ward councillor, praised the volunteers.

He said: “I applaud the volunteers from the Kilburn Library Garden for all their great efforts. I was more than pleased to have Brent Ward Working support the scheme and think the garden will be of real benefit to local residents for years ahead”.

The garden was officially opened by the groups youngest volunteer, six-year-old volunteer Karys Al-Khoun.

For more information on Kilburn Library Garden visit their website at www.kilburnlibrarygarden.co.uk