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September 13, 2010

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AROUND THE INDUSTRY

On London’s Tube, Gardeners Compete in ‘Underground in Bloom’

Green beans and gooseberries are just some of what London Underground (LU) staff are growing as they compete in “Underground in Bloom,” LU’s annual gardening competition to cultivate the best fruit and vegetables on the Tube network. Winners will be announced Sept. 16 at London’s City Hall.

In total, 55 Tube stations, depots, and service control rooms throughout the network are working to create oases in an urban environment. One station, for example, used rubble left over from station upgrade work to create a garden. 

“Once again, I have been really impressed by the effort and time that our staff have put into transforming the Tube into a brighter and more attractive place,” said Howard Collins, LU chief operating officer. “These wonderful gardens, hanging baskets, and tubs have all been cared for in our hardworking employees' own time. This shows just how committed our staff is to offering an outstanding service to customers using the London Underground.”

The Underground in Bloom awards recognize Tube staff who have gone beyond their work duties to use their own time to make stations more attractive. Previous competitions have included only plants and flowers—fruits and vegetables are new this year, in support of the Mayor’s Capital Growth program that encourages organizations and communities to grow their own produce.

Categories to be judged include cultivated garden plots, hanging baskets, tubs, fruits, and vegetables. Extra points will be given to environmentally friendly gardens that attract wildlife or use water wisely.

 

Mike Reidy, a customer service assistant at the Tottenham Hale Tube station, displays chili peppers grown on the roof of the station as part of “Underground in Bloom.”



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