Metropolitan Public Gardens Association

Last updated

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (also known as the MPGA) is a charity in London for the purposes of the preservation of public parks and gardens, established in 1882. It facilitated the creation of new public open spaces, including from philanthropic landowners within its membership. The MPGA was involved in the formation and development of other amenity organisations. The charity still exists; in recent decades its emphasis has changed to smaller parcels of land and smaller projects within larger spaces, as well as to themed projects. The MPGA was the starting point for the careers of the ground-breaking female landscape gardeners Fanny Wilkinson and Madeline Agar.

Contents

History

The 12th Earl of Meath Earl of Meath LCCN2014713839.tif
The 12th Earl of Meath

The Irish philanthropist Lord Brabazon (who, from 1887, was the 12th Earl of Meath) wanted to make more effort than the Kyrle Society (of which he was a member) was able to do to capitalise on the Metropolitan Open Spaces Act 1881. [1] The Kyrle Society had been formed in 1876. [2] The 1881 Act, which had been prompted by lobbying from Octavia Hill and the Kyrle Society, enabled disused burial grounds to be transferred to local authorities, together with the power to use public funds to maintain them as public gardens. [3] In 1884 the Kyrle Society cleared and restored as public open space the derelict burial ground of St George's, Bloomsbury, north of Coram's Fields. The MPGA contributed £100 to the cost, but was not informed of the opening of St George's Gardens. [4]

The MPGA was initially formed as the Metropolitan Public Gardens, Boulevard and Playground Association in 1882, before changing its name in 1885. [5] [6] The principal objects were stated to be the protection, preservation, safeguarding and acquiring for permanent preservation for public use, of gardens, disused burial grounds, churchyards, open spaces, or any land within the Metropolitan Police District, as well as the provision of seats and the planting of trees. [7]

The creation of the MPGA was a direct consequence of the closure of London churchyards in the 1850s. In 1848-49 a cholera epidemic had killed 14,601 people in London and completely overwhelmed the existing burial system. [8] The result was a series of Burial Acts (1852, 1853, 1855, 1857 and 1859) and the establishment of a second wave of publicly-run cemeteries in outer London, to complement the privately-run Magnificent Seven cemeteries that had been established after 1832. Nevertheless, only limited official use could be given to the closed burial grounds, until the Metropolitan Open Spaces Acts of 1877 and 1881, which made provisions for public use of burial grounds for exercise and recreation. It was this statutory provision that the MPGA stepped in to employ. [9] The burial grounds remained consecrated, and the Open Spaces Act 1887, promoted by the MPGA, permitted the playing of sports and games on consecrated land with the consent of the bishop. The MPGA worked closely with the London County Council (established in 1889), which led to the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1910. The 1910 Act extended the LCC's powers in respect of burial grounds.

Fanny Wilkinson Fanny wilkinson landscape gardener.jpg
Fanny Wilkinson

After the initial focus on converting burial grounds to public gardens and recreation grounds, the MPGA turned its attention to the preservation of London squares. The result was the London Squares and Enclosures (Preservation) Act 1906, which protected 64 named squares, [10] the London Squares Preservation Act 1931, which protected 461 named squares, [11] and provisions in the Civic Amenities Act 1967, which introduced the concept of conservation areas, relevant for the impact on underground development beneath the squares.

Fanny Wilkinson was appointed the landscape gardener of the MPGA in 1884, and in 20 years laid out 75 public gardens for the MGPA. [12] Two key features were the provision of drinking fountains and seats. The purpose of both of these was to dissuade people from public houses. [13] Wilkinson left the MPGA in 1904. [14] Her successor was Madeline Agar, who held the position for almost 25 years.

Projects

Historic projects

The number of parks and gardens and other public spaces that the MPGA funded and developed is so extensive that a complete list would be almost impossible to compile. [15] Many remain extant. The list of notable projects below is set out in chronological order of the MPGA's involvement, rather than the date of the open space itself.

Current projects

London Spade

Since 1967, the MPGA has awarded the 'London Spade' each year to individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to London’s green open spaces. [90] [91]

Landscape gardeners

Presidents

Chairmen

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Alfege Church, Greenwich</span> Church in London, England

St Alfege Church is an Anglican church in the centre of Greenwich, part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London. It is of medieval origin and was rebuilt in 1712–1714 to the designs of Nicholas Hawksmoor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Dunstan's, Stepney</span> Church

St Dunstan's, Stepney, is an Anglican church which stands on a site that has been used for Christian worship for over a thousand years. It is located in Stepney High Street, in Stepney, London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burgess Park</span> Park in Southwark, London

Burgess Park is a public park situated in Camberwell in the London Borough of Southwark. It is close to Walworth to the north, Bermondsey to the east and Peckham to the south. At 56 hectares, it is one of the largest parks in South London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden Museum</span> Museum in London, formerly the church of St Mary-at-Lambeth

The Garden Museum in London is Britain's only museum of the art, history and design of gardens. The museum re-opened in 2017 after an 18-month redevelopment project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Southwark</span>

The London Borough of Southwark, occupying a roughly triangular area south of Tower Bridge over the River Thames, considers itself to be one of the greenest boroughs in London, with its 245 hectares of public parkland. There are more than 130 such green areas, ranging from the large areas around Dulwich and Southwark Park in Rotherhithe to the many sports grounds and squares. The main ones are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Church</span> Church in England

Bow Church is the parish church of St Mary and Holy Trinity, Stratford, Bow. It is located on a central reservation site in Bow Road, in Bow, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. There has been a church on the same site for approximately 700 years. The church was bombed in the Second World War, and the bell tower was reconstructed just after the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Peter's Church, Walworth</span> Church in London, England

St Peter's Church is an inclusive Anglican parish church in Walworth, London, in the Woolwich Episcopal Area of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It was built between 1823–25 and was the first church designed by Sir John Soane, in the wave of the church-building following the Napoleonic wars. It is the best preserved of Soane's churches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postman's Park</span> Park in central London

Postman's Park is a public garden in central London, a short distance north of St Paul's Cathedral. Bordered by Little Britain, Aldersgate Street, St. Martin's Le Grand, King Edward Street, and the site of the former headquarters of the General Post Office (GPO), it is one of the largest open spaces in the City of London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Lion Square</span> Square in Holborn, London

Red Lion Square is a small square in Holborn, London. The square was laid out in 1684 by Nicholas Barbon, taking its name from the Red Lion Inn. According to some sources, the bodies of three regicides—Oliver Cromwell, John Bradshaw and Henry Ireton—were placed in a pit on the site of the square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St John-at-Hackney</span> Church in Hackney, London

St John at Hackney is a Grade II* listed Anglican Church in the heart of the London Borough of Hackney with a large capacity of around 2,000. It was built in 1792 to replace Hackney's medieval parish church, of which St Augustine's Tower remains, at the edge of its churchyard. The church faces north towards Clapton Square, with the nearby Sutton House and Hackney Central station also accessible from the churchyard to the east and south, respectively. As well as a thriving parish church, St John at Hackney has also become known as a notable music venue, playing host to the likes of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Robbie Williams, Griff and Interpol.

The city of Wrexham has two main city parks, these being Bellevue Park and Acton Park. On the outskirts of the city there is also open parkland on and surrounding the Erddig estate. There is also a city centre green and various smaller parks and open spaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ Church, Southwark</span> Church in England

Christ Church, Southwark, is a church of the Anglican denomination situated on the west side of Blackfriars Road, London. At the time of the foundation there was no bridge at Blackfriars and so no major road connecting the area to the south or to the City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddington Street Gardens</span> Public gardens in London

Paddington Street Gardens are two small public gardens located either side of Paddington Street in the Marylebone area of London.

St Anne's Churchyard, also known as St Anne's Gardens, is a public park on Wardour Street in Soho, London. Formerly the churchyard of St Anne's, Soho, it was closed to burials in 1853 by Act of Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St James's Church, Bermondsey</span> Church in London, England

St James's Church, Bermondsey, is a Church of England parish church in Bermondsey, south London. Designed by James Savage, it was one of the churches built as a result of the Church Building Acts. It was completed and consecrated in 1829 and given a separate parish in 1840. In 1949 it was designated a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fanny Wilkinson</span> British landscape gardener and college principal (1855-1951)

Fanny Wilkinson (1855–1951) was a British landscape designer. She was the first professional female landscape designer in Britain, and responsible for the design and the layout of more than 75 public gardens across London in the late 19th century.

Nursery Row Park is a park in Walworth, London. It is located between Brandon, Stead and Orb Streets, and the East Street Market. It is in the London Borough of Southwark.

Madeline Agnes Agar was a British landscape designer. She was an early professional female landscape designer in Britain, and responsible for the design and the layout of a number of public gardens across London in the early 20th-century. She was the second woman to be the landscape gardener for the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and was an author of books on gardening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meath Gardens</span> Park in Bethnal Green in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London

Meath Gardens is a 4.1642 hectares park in Bethnal Green in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London, England, and opened to the public in 1894. Before it became a park, it was the Victoria Park Cemetery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Cross Garden, Southwark</span> Park in Southwark, London

Red Cross Garden is a small park in Southwark, London. It is located on Redcross Way, and named after the street, although the name of the garden is spelt with two words while the street is spelt with one. It is in the London Borough of Southwark. The garden and the associated cottages designed by Elijah Hoole form an early example of one of Octavia Hill’s social housing schemes.

References

  1. "Myatt's Fields Park: An extended history of Myatt's Fields Park" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. "History of Public Space: Timeline" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  3. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  5. "Myatt's Fields Park: An extended history of Myatt's Fields Park" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  6. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  7. "MPGA: History" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  8. Jackson, Lee (22 January 2015). "The Guardian: "Death in the city: the grisly secrets of dealing with Victorian London's dead", 22 January 2015". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. "MPGA: History" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. "London Gardens Trust: A Short History of London's Garden Squares, 1900 to 1950" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  11. "MPGA: History" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  12. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  13. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  14. "UCL: Fanny Wilkinson" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. See the map of London showing work of the MPGA from 1882 to 1900. "Old Maps Online: The work of the MPGA, 1882-1900" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  16. "London Gardens Trust: St John's Churchyard Garden" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  17. "London Gardens Trust: A Short History of London's Garden Squares, 1850 to 1900" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  18. "London Gardens Trust: Ebury Square Garden" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  19. "London Gardens Trust: Carlton Square" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  20. "London Gardens Trust: Holy Trinity Churchyard" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  21. "London Gardens Trust: Northampton Square Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  22. "Survey of London: Volume 46, South and East Clerkenwell" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  23. "London Gardens Trust: Red Lion Square" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  24. "London Gardens Trust: St Bartholomew's Gardens" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  25. "London Gardens Trust: St Bartholomew-the-Great Churchyard" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  26. "London Gardens Trust: West Hackney Recreation Ground" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  27. "London Gardens Trust: Paddington Street Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  28. "London Gardens Trust: St James's Churchyard" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  29. "London Gardens Trust: St Paul's Churchyard, Shadwell" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  30. "London Gardens Trust: Burgess Park, including Chumleigh Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  31. "London Gardens Trust: St Anne's Churchyard, Limehouse" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  32. "London Gardens Trust: St Dunstan's Churchyard, Stepney" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  33. "London Gardens Trust: St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard" . Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  34. "Parks & Gardens: Holy Trinity Churchyard" . Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  35. Brown, Tom, "The making of urban 'healtheries': the transformation of cemeteries and burial grounds in late-Victorian East London", Journal of Historical Geography 42 (2013) 12-23 at 19.
  36. "London Gardens Trust: Edward Square" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  37. "London Gardens Trust: St Thomas's Recreation Ground" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  38. England), Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (London (1897). Annual Report of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, in Connection with the National Health Society. The Association. p. 56.
  39. "London Gardens Trust: Tower Gardens" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  40. "Myatt's Fields Park: An extended history of Myatt's Fields Park" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  41. "London Gardens Trust: Myatt's Fields Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  42. "London Gardens Trust: St Alfege Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  43. "National Gallery Archives: Metropolitan Public Gardens Association" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  44. "London Gardens Trust: Barnsbury Square" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  45. "London Gardens Trust: Brockwell Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  46. "London Gardens Trust: Christ Church Spitalfields" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  47. "London Gardens Trust: St Anne's Churchyard" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  48. "London Gardens Trust: St Botolph without Aldgate Churchyard" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  49. "Docklands Ringers: Poplar" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  50. "London Gardens Trust: All Saints Churchyard, Poplar" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  51. "London Gardens Trust: Duncan Terrace Garden and Colebrooke Row Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  52. "London Gardens Trust: Goldsmith Square Recreation Ground" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  53. "London Gardens Trust: Meath Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  54. "London Gardens Trust: Canning Town Recreation Ground" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  55. "London Gardens Trust: Bartholomew Square" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  56. "London Gardens Trust: Bow Churchyard" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  57. "London Gardens Trust: Plaistow Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  58. "London Gardens Trust: St John's Gardens" . Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  59. "London Gardens Trust: Ion Square Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  60. "London Gardens Trust: St Peter's Churchyard, Walworth" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  61. "London Gardens Trust: St Matthew's Church Garden" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  62. "London Gardens Trust: Nursery Row Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  63. "London Gardens Trust: Central Park" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  64. "London Gardens Trust: Addington Square Garden" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  65. "Friends of Burgess Park: Addington Square" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  66. "London Gardens Trust: Albion Square" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  67. "London Gardens Trust: Hermit Road Recreation Ground" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  68. "London Gardens Trust: Christ Church Garden" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  69. "National Heritage List Entry No 1376594" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  70. "London Gardens Trust: St Mary's Churchyard" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  71. "MPGA: History" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  72. "London Gardens Trust: Archbishop's Park" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  73. "London Gardens Trust: Geffrye Museum Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  74. "London Gardens Trust: Albert Gardens" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  75. "National Heritage List Entry No 1263120" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  76. "London Gardens Trust: St Ann Blackfriars Burial Grounds" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  77. "London Gardens Trust: West Square Gardens" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  78. "London Gardens Trust: Southwark Cathedral Precinct" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  79. "London Gardens Trust: Ducketts Common" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  80. "London Gardens Trust: Emslie Horniman Pleasance Gardens" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  81. "London Gardens Trust: Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  82. "National Heritage List Entry 1458959: Wimbledon Common War Memorial" . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  83. "MPGA: History" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  84. "London Gardens Trust: Cleary Gardens" . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  85. "MPGA: Projects" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  86. "MPGA: Projects" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  87. "MPGA: Projects" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  88. "MPGA: Bulbs for London 2019" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  89. "MPGA: Grants" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  90. "London Gardens Trust: Joyce Bellamy MBE" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  91. "MPGA: Awards" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  92. "London Gardens Trust: Geffrye Museum Gardens" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  93. "London Gardens Trust: Joyce Bellamy MBE" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  94. "Conservation Foundation: David Shreeve presented with the London Spade Award" . Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  95. "1891 census, via FindMyPast" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  96. "1901 census, via FindMyPast" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  97. "1911 census, via FindMyPast" . Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  98. "MPGA: People" . Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  99. "MPGA Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  100. "MPGA: People" . Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  101. "London Remembers: Fred Cleary" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  102. "London Remembers Memorials: Fred Cleary" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  103. "London Gardens Trust: Cleary Garden" . Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  104. "Livery Companies: Richard Saunders" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  105. "MPGA Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  106. "MPGA: People" . Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  107. "MPGA: People" . Retrieved 17 January 2021.