TCV’s Rebeka Clark, Site Manager for TCV Stave Hill was an attendee at the first Royal Garden Party of 2026 last week!
This event was held by The Royal Family to celebrate the dedication and contribution of those who serve their communities through volunteering, supporting charitable causes and working for emergency services.
Rebeka was nominated to attend by a local resident, who is the Chair of Friends of Russia Dock Woodland, and has a huge appreciation of the work of Rebeka and her team at the London site.
Our wonderful partners at Defra supported Rebeka’s nomination and attendance at the party.
See the garden party in action: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYAdXIiMCRs/
Rebeka attended with Senior Project Officer, Michael Williams, and enjoyed swapping their outdoor clothes to something more fancy!
Rebecca said: “Michael and I had a very different Wednesday to our usual TCV day! Instead of combats and the TCV t-shirt, it was a frock and a suit. Instead of our regular volunteers, we were surrounded by a crowd in floaty dresses, Army and Naval uniforms, with a sprinkling of national costumes.
“We timed our arrival quite well – we’d been in the garden for 30 minutes when the King was announced. Both the King and Queen appeared on the terrace, then disappeared into the (huge) crowd.
“We decided it would be a good time to explore the garden, which was lovely. So many wild spaces! Lots of meadow, and we could see that there’d been drifts of bluebells earlier. I particularly liked a spot that had lots of rose garlic growing amongst the cow parsley. We spotted a bat box that was evidently used. Both Michael and I were inspired by the coppiced holly – I’m now wondering when I can start chopping the Stave Hill trees! It’s a very quiet space – astonishing to realise we were a 10 minute walk from Victoria station.
“We then took ourselves to the tea tent for very yummy sandwiches, delicious cakes and a spot of people watching. Before leaving, we took another walk around more of the garden. It’s a very sheltered space, and with all the evidence of conservation work taking place it must be a wildlife haven – I bet they have hedgehogs! I like to think of this space in central London, full of undisturbed wildlife.”
A true ecologist – appreciating the nature aspects of the garden at Buckingham Palace!
Also read about Rebeka’s amazing achievements as a conservationist for her urban Oasis in London: www.tcv.org.uk/media_hub/women-in-conservation-rebeka-35-years-of-increasing-urban-biodiversity-in-london/
