28th May 2025
Sanctuary
A pollinator-friendly memorial garden celebrating the lives of three friends who lived on Sanctuary’s Kingsmead estate in Hackney was officially opened on Saturday 24 May.
The new outdoor space, which features mosaics, benches and areas for wildlife, commemorates the lives of Carol, June and Wendy, known affectionately as ‘The Golden Girls’.
The garden is a community-led project managed by environmental education charity ecoActive and created by over 50 volunteers, including residents, relatives, and community members. It forms part of the Hackney Buzzline, a project to connect green spaces in Hackney to create a corridor for pollinators, and enhanced walking and cycling routes.
A Kingsmead resident said: “The more people act as a community, the less isolated they feel. It will be so nice when you bring the kids out to play, you’ll see a beautiful place and hopefully lots of butterflies.” Charmaine Jude, Sanctuary’s Partnerships Officer for the area, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported residents to create this garden, which gives them the opportunity to come together and make connections around their shared interests.”
