Sadly it is the end of an era. Portslade Green Gym – the wonderful group of volunteers who have been managing Madeira Drive Green Wall for us for so many years, has closed.
It is very hard to maintain a voluntary group these days. The Green Gymers haven’t been getting any younger – and have found it hard to recruit new members.
Such a shame, given how important social contact and exercise is for older people – and how much they have contributed to the Maderia Drive and other sites across Brighton & Hove. They have visited once or twice a year since 2016 – a decade of hard work to keep down troublesome plants, nurture the baby spindle trees planted by us, and litter pick.
Here they are on film in 2022 for LatestTV.
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have helped over the years. You shall be missed.
Today Mayor Cllr Lizzie Dean planted two baby Japanese spindle trees, in celebration of 150 years of the Madeira Drive Green Wall.
The Mayor braved torrential rain to plant the trees, and also unveil a ‘Green Plaque’ awarded to the site by Brighton & Hove Building Green. In attendance was Portslade Green Gym representative Sue Stubbings, and Biodiversity Officer Kim Dawson.
The Mayor said:
“I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Madeira Drive Green Wall.
Thanks to Victorian visionaries including the Council surveyor Phillip Causton Lockwood, Brighton & Hove is home to not only the longest, oldest green wall in Europe – but also the longest continuous ironwork structure in the world, Madeira Terrace.
I would like to thank the volunteers from Brighton & Hove Building Green who have worked for years towards this achievement – as well as the volunteers from Portslade Green Gym and the local East Brighton community who regularly tend the plants here.”
The full speech follows.
Thanks to Victorian visionaries including the Council surveyor Phillip Causton Lockwood, Brighton & Hove is home to not only the longest, oldest green wall in Europe – but also the longest continuous ironwork structure in the world, Madeira Terrace.
The green wall was planted in 1872, and predates the Terrace. It was established along with hedges and other plants, to make the new seafront an attractive place to walk, take the sea air, and enjoy the views.
Work is shortly to begin to restore and revive the Terrace, and these ambitions remain as relevant now as they did then.
Brighton’s seafront is world famous, and attracts millions of visitors, and provides a vibrant space for local people and businesses. But it is hard to imagine what it would look like without this magnificent green wall.
There are over 100 types of flowering plants along the green wall, as well as birds such as goldfinches, wrens and sparrows, and butterflies like red admirals and holly blues. In recognition of its wildlife value, the Council has designated Madeira Drive Green Wall a Local Wildlife Site – the first of its kind in the country.
I would like to thank the volunteers from Brighton & Hove Building Green who have worked for years towards this achievement – as well as the volunteers from Portslade Green Gym and the local East Brighton community who regularly tend the plants here.
I would like to encourage more people to come and take in the nature that can be found on our seaside. It is a wonderful resource which can help us feel calmer and happier.
In time, the Council plans to restore the green wall to its original full length, and open the Terraces again for events and recreation.
As a small step in that plan, I am honoured to be planting this small Japanese spindle tree – a cutting from its 150 year old parents.
Happy birthday to Madeira Drive Green Wall – the oldest, longest green wall in Europe! 150 years old this year.
Planted in 1872, the hundreds of Japanese spindle plants have grown to create a wall almost a mile long at Madeira Drive in Brighton & Hove. Today over 100 species of flowering plants can be seen growing here, along with a range of birds and other wildlife. In recognition of its importance, Madeira Drive Green Wall has been designed a Local Wildlife Site – the only one of its kind in the UK.
The green wall forms an integral part of the East Brighton seafront, and backdrop to the famous Madeira Terrace. The terrace, and green wall, both feature in a forthcoming film from LatestTV to celebrate this anniversary. The film will explore Brighton’s historic connection to the environment, the benefits for health and wellbeing, and the plans to restore and enhance Madeira Drive for the future.
Today, Linda Standing, volunteer with Portslade Green Gym, planted a baby Japanese spindle tree to celebrate the Green Wall anniversary. Green Gym volunteers have been working at Madeira Drive for 10 years, and are vital to the care and attention the green wall needs.
Building Green supports the work the Council are proposing as part of the restoration of Madeira Terrace. This will involve safeguarding and enhancing the green wall, as well as introducing other environmental habitat.
Those amazing folk from Portslade Green Gym were at Madeira Drive for the first of this year’s visits to the green wall. They were last due on 5 March 2020, and we all know why that didn’t happen!
Doing their usual terrific work today, to cut back growth, ensuring the maintenance of the wildlife on the site, and protection of the historic Japanese spindle plants.
Lopping and chopping – Portslade Green Gym volunteers working in the sunshine at Madeira Drive Green Wall, Brighton & Hove
There were also good signs that the Building Green Babies – young spindle plants we grew from cuttings on site – are growing up.
One of the volunteers was saying how important this work is – not just from a wildlife point of view, but for the mental health of the team. Many of the volunteers are older, and live alone – being outdoors with their friends, doing something physical, is a joy – and something sorely missed during lockdown.
Portslade Green Gym volunteers warming up in the sunshine at Madeira Drive Green Wall, Brighton & Hove
Our thanks to the Council team for cutting back along the path edge this week, to keep the pavement clear for pedestrians.
After! These babies were planted in May 2019 from cuttings taken in summer 2018…so 4 years old!
Next volunteer work day is 18 November. Come and say hello, or lend a hand.
Those intrepid volunteers from Green Gym are going to be back in action this month, caring for the precious planting along Duke’s Mound.
Part of the Maderia Drive Green Wall, they cut back red valerian, ivy and other plants which can crowd out more sensitive vegetation, and generally do a sterling job of making the area look great. They have fun whilst they do it too!
Thursday 17 September, 10am, Duke’s Mound
They will take all necessary Covid-19 precautions as they do it, alongside their usual attention to health, safety and wellbeing.
Portslade Green Gym volunteers will be down on Madeira Drive, looking after our famous ‘green wall’ on the following dates. Why not come along and say hi, and get yer fingers dirty with some good honest work cutting back weeds…and looking after our new Japanese Spindle cuttings!
It would be easy to take for granted what it takes to keep the longest, oldest green wall in Europe in good condition. Especially when the work is managed by volunteers, doing it for the love, the friendship and the exercise that comes with it!
Here they are, Portslade Green Gym, in action at Madeira Drive Green Wall this week, keeping the Spindle and beds in great condition, and a stretch of wall ready for receiving new Spindle plants in the Spring… A huge thank you to all the Green Gymers – we appreciate you!
Portslade Green Gym hit the Madeira Drive Green Wall again today. Great work cutting back and looking after the health of the green wall, and their own health too! Next work day in the New Year. Thanks Green Gymers!
Brighton & Hove Building Green 