Neighbourhood Champion wins award at Tower Hamlets in Bloom 2024
In December 2024, L&Q Neighbourhood Champion Paul Moore and his partner Allan Wilson came second in the Best Community Residential Site category for their vibrant communal garden in Sandhurst Estate.
Paul Moore and his partner Allan Wilson
The couple, who have lived in Stepney for 26 years, entered the Sandhurst Tenant Resident Association (TRA) into the Tower Hamlets in Bloom competition in the Summer of 2024.
Paul said, “We were flying back from Spain when we received a call from the judge who said, ‘I’m coming to see your garden'.”
Paul and Allan attended the award ceremony at the Art Pavillion in Mile End Park with their Neighbourhood Housing Lead (NHL), Fatima, not thinking they’d win.
Paul said, “I heard the words ‘Sandhurst House’, Allan tapped my shoulder and I jumped up in shock.”
“We are over the moon,” he said, “to receive wonderful messages from our neighbours on our WhatsApp group chat. It was a great achievement by all to end the year on a high!”
Paul realised his passion for gardening when he was a young boy. He said, “Gardening has always been a part of me ever since I was a little kid in Australia - I lived in Colley. Mum would tell me to look after the plants in the garden centre while she looked after the plants inside our home.”
The couple prioritises the maintenance of their estate. Back in 1999, residents of Sandhurst Estate played an active role in managing their ground maintenance.
“Everything was new then,” said Allan. “The ground maintenance team would come and cut everything back. They never let any plants bloom which had a negative impact on the plants.”
Working with residents, the couple transformed the communal area into a vibrant, welcoming and calm environment with blooming plants all year round.
Paul and Allan dedicate their time to running the TRA, which they set up just after Covid. Paul said, “When I retired in March 2023, Allan stepped down, and I took over, and now I’m working with our NHL Fatima.”
After becoming the Neighbourhood Champion last year, Paul decided to design a website for their TRA, which he manages and updates regularly. He uses the website to keep his community informed and up to date on the changes within L&Q.
The website shows Sandhurst Estate's history, pictures of how it used to look and how it looks now, and emergency services contact numbers.
Paul said, “Ever since I became a Neighbourhood Champion, I saw the bigger picture. I was always interested in the well-being of the community. L&Q is pushing to make a change, and I’m here making sure residents are part of making that change. He adds, “It shows our partnership working with L&Q.”
The couple strengthens their relationship with their community by organising neighbourhood get-togethers and community fun days and getting residents to work together and look after their beautiful communal garden.
Paul said, “Very recently, we set up a ‘meet your neighbours day’. Our neighbours came together with homemade dishes, and the children played on their scooters. It was good to know who was in your block. It gave everyone a sense of belonging.”
On the back of this partnership working, we’ve nominated our colleague, Fatima, for our value award in recognition of her passion and hard work.
Director of Governance & Accountability, Neil Talbot, said:
“Congratulations, a well-deserved award. It’s wonderful to see residents win awards like this. We hope this is just the beginning – one of many awards to come.”
To become a TRA member or for more information about other opportunities, email our Resident Involvement team or visit our resident involvement section.