EcoLocal

27/07/2026

Fall in Love with Gardening...

Some passions begin with a single rose.

Others with the first tiny seedling pushing through the soil.

This autumn, discover the simple pleasure of gardening on our inspiring 10-week evening course. Whether you're dreaming of a cottage garden bursting with colour, a productive vegetable patch, or simply a few beautiful pots by your front door, we'll help you grow the knowledge and confidence to make it happen.

Led by our expert tutor, you'll uncover the secrets of successful gardeners, from pruning and propagation to garden design, plant care and tackling pests. Each week brings new ideas, practical advice and the confidence to transform the way you see your own garden—or the one you're dreaming of creating.

The course is held indoors, making it the perfect way to spend an autumn evening learning, sharing ideas and planning for the seasons ahead. By spring, you'll be looking at every leaf, flower and border with fresh eyes.

So why not let this be the season you discover a hobby that will reward you for years to come?

Gardening Fundamentals – 10 Week Evening Course

📍 The Garden Hall, EcoLocal, The Lodge, Carshalton SM5 3NX
📅 From Thursday 17th September 2026
🕖 7.00pm – 9.00pm
💷 £210

Perfect for beginners, those wanting to build on existing knowledge, or anyone considering further horticultural qualifications.

Book your place today and let your gardening story begin.

Book your place today and let your gardening story begin.
https://www.ecolocal.org.uk/food-growing/growing-training/gardening-fundamentals-10-week-evening-course-2/

23/07/2026

22/07/2026

21/07/2026

School Holiday Family Cycling Sessions, 7yrs +

Inclusive Holiday Family Cycling dates

Dates: Summer Holidays 2026 -
July: 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th and
August: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th and 27th
Time: 12noon – 1pm (no children allowed on track before 12noon)
Suitable for children aged 7+ of all abilities accompanied by an adult
£3.50 per session per child. Pay on the day.
Exact cash only - no change given, or pay by Card
No booking required
Sessions take place on the athletics track at the David Weir Leisure Centre which is in Middleton Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 1SL.

Visit www.ecolocal.org.uk for more info

19/07/2026

17/07/2026

17/07/2026

The lavender is nearly ready for you 💜

Just some of the faces behind Carshalton Lavender...

Today was our last formal committee meeting on the field before our Pick Your Own Harvest Weekend, and it’s all starting to feel very real now.

Behind this one special weekend is a whole year of planning, planting, weeding, organising and preparing, all carried out by volunteers who care deeply about keeping Carshalton’s lavender heritage alive.

Buckets cleaned, checklists checked, rotas tweaked, stall layout finalised, final preparations underway… the list goes on!

And as you can see, the lavender is looking beautiful. Ours is a late-flowering variety and it has loved the recent sunshine. The scent on the field is absolutely gorgeous.

We can’t wait to welcome you for our once-a-year Pick Your Own Harvest Weekend.

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July
10am to 5pm, last entry 4.30pm
Entrance via Oaks Way Centre gate, SM5 4NQ

Advance booking recommended.

Come and enjoy the lavender, meet the volunteers, browse the stalls, take photos and be part of this very special community harvest.

09/07/2026

Celebrate Summer at Wallington Farmers' Market

There are some Saturday mornings that deserve to be savoured...

The scent of freshly baked bread drifting through the air. The sound of live jazz beneath the summer sky. Friends meeting over coffee, families wandering between colourful stalls, and baskets gradually filling with the very best the season has to offer.

This Saturday 12th July, from 9am to 1pm, treat yourself to a visit to Wallington Farmers' Market, held outside the Old Town Hall and Library Gardens.

Summer has arrived in abundance, bringing with it delicious seasonal fruits bursting with flavour—perfect for picnics in the park, refreshing fruit salads or indulgent homemade desserts. You'll also discover freshly pressed fruit juices and irresistible handmade summer tarts that are almost too tempting to resist.

If a summer barbecue is calling, you'll find everything you need, from pasture-fed meats and free-range poultry to traditional sausages, affordable game in a wonderful variety of flavours, artisan chilli sauces and an abundance of fresh seasonal vegetables to complete your feast.

Take time to browse the beautiful selection of locally grown plants, handmade crafts, lavender and wellbeing products, and be sure to welcome our newest trader, bringing beautifully handcrafted baskets woven from sustainably grown British willow—each one a celebration of traditional craftsmanship.

As always, you'll also find all the market favourites you've come to love, including artisan cheeses, freshly harvested mushrooms, free-range eggs, nuts, vegan specialities, baked treats, quality meats and so much more.

Then, when your shopping is done, why not linger a little longer? Relax to the gentle sounds of live jazz, enjoy refreshments at the Library Garden Café, or simply sit beside the peaceful pond and soak up the atmosphere. It's the perfect way to spend a summer morning in the heart of Wallington.

Come for the shopping...

Stay for the atmosphere...

Leave with a basket full of wonderful food and a reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures are often found close to home.

For more information visit: www.ecolocal.org.uk

30/06/2026

Some Secrets Are Too Beautiful to Keep...

Next weekend is your chance to discover Carshalton's beautiful Secret Walled Garden – hidden away in the heart of Carshalton, waiting quietly behind historic brick walls.

We'll be opening the garden on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July, from 11am until 3pm, and we'd love you to drop in and see how the restoration of this remarkable garden has progressed. Whether it's your first visit or you're returning to see what's changed, there's always something new to discover.

If you haven't visited before, you'll find the garden behind The Lodge in the grounds of the Ecology Centre, next to the Garden Hall.

While you're here, there's even more to enjoy.

🎨 The Garden Hall is Venue 9 on the Carshalton Artists Open Studios (CAOS) Trail, where five wonderful local artists will be exhibiting their work. Please pop in and say hello..

🌼 And on Saturday 4th, the Friends of Sutton Ecology Centre Summer Garden Party will also be taking place on the lawn inside the Ecology Centre, just off Festival Walk, and down the path from the Walled Garden, with plenty of activities for families with younger children.