Headstone Horticultural Society was founded in or around 1943 with "Dig for Victory" when the war effort encouraged people to grow their own produce collectively. The aim was to sell stock such as weed killers, fertilisers and other goods at discounted prices. These Horticultural Societies were and still are run as non-profit organisations by volunteers. They are there to offer horticultural advice, promote health and well-being, and support the vulnerable in the community.

The Wijeratne Surgery on Long Elmes, is an offshoot of Belmont Health Centre and serves the local people, care home and community. It reaches those that need it most and is at threat of disappearing, alongside the Horticultural Society. With the councils proposals to remove both sites in place of housing, we ask the local people to support our cause so that we can continue to serve our community.

Over the years, as the community needs have changed, the society has evolved to support them. Headstone Horticultural society is proud to have a multi-cultural, ethnically diverse membership where many languages and religions socialise in harmony. They support the bereaved, terminally ill, elderly, children and adults with learning difficulties; have visited schools, residential homes, churches and community residential gardens.

Through the growing season plants are sold to raise money to fund the upkeep of the site (as no funding is received) and local projects such as open gardens, charities social housing, community gardens, school fundraising etc. The society has also adopted a train station and together ran a community open day - winning awards in both TFL's "Underground in Bloom" and the "Overground in Bloom".

The plant sale commences from May and continues until August - It is built as a garden every weekend where anyone can come free of charge! You can drink tea, eat home-made cakes, meet people, talk and make new friends. Over the years the volunteers have assisted in filling out forms, CV writing, explaining Doctors letters and even changing dressings on wounds!

As you can see, the list of involvement within the community is long and still growing to meet the needs of the people who ask for help. Not bad without running water or a toilet, right?

Headstone Horticultural Society has been in Harrow Weald for nearly 80 years and are in disbelief that building a carpark and 4 houses outweigh the community benefit that they have and will continue to achieve. At this time Harrow Council have served a termination of lease on the 20/08/20 and we look to have this retracted for both ourselves and the Doctors surgery so that we may continue to support those in need.

Your support to oppose these plans are greatly needed - Please add your voice to the petition today, and remember to put in your harrow location!

We appreciate your support - Thank you