What’s on in Lewisham?
Lewisham Fruit Harvest
Every year, tonnes of fruit growing in local gardens go unpicked and wasted — while many people in our communities struggle to access fresh food.
Lewisham Fruit Harvest is a volunteer-powered project rescuing surplus fruit and sharing it locally.
Part of National Park City's London Fruit Harvest initiative, we work with local tree owners, volunteers and community organisations to harvest fruit that might otherwise go to waste and get it to people who can use it.
We’re currently setting up harvest groups in Brockley and Downham — and we’d love for you to get involved.
You can join us as:
A Fruit Picker – Help harvest fruit during the season (roughly July–October). No experience needed and equipment provided. Harvests happen when fruit is ripe, so we’ll be sticking to nature’s schedule. Fruit pickers can join harvests whenever they’re able and most coordination happens through WhatsApp.
A Tree Owner – Got a fruit tree producing more than you can use? We can help harvest and share the surplus. You can also let us know about trees in public spaces near you.
A Fruit Recipient – Food banks, community kitchens, mutual aid groups, neighbours and local organisations who can make good use of fresh produce.
Interested? Sign up via our quick form to get involved.
Fruit Preservation Workshop x Community Gardening Session
Learn how to preserve seasonal fruit in jars in this practical demonstration at The Plot in Downham
🍑 Fruit Preserving Workshop at The Plot 🍎
Join us at The Plot in Downham for a practical fruit-preserving workshop with Ann Bliss, learning how to preserve seasonal fruit in jars using water, sugar and heat.
The workshop will take place on Sunday 23 August, 3–6pm, alongside our usual weekly community gardening afternoon.
Whether you've got a glut of fruit from your garden, have recently been out picking, or simply want to learn a traditional way of making seasonal fruit last longer, come along and have a go. If you've recently picked fruit, bring it with you to preserve — jars will be provided.
🌱 Want to garden too? We'll be running this workshop alongside our weekly community garden session, so you're welcome to get your hands in the soil and help us grow and harvest seasonal vegetables once you're finished preserving.
📍 Where
The Plot, Oldstead Road Allotments, Downham
Enter through the black gate next to 1 Southview Road, BR1 5RD — look out for the Grow Lewisham community garden sign.
🌿 About the Sunday garden sessions
Our weekly community gardening sessions are a chance to get your hands in the soil, connect with nature, learn practical growing skills and contribute to a more resilient local food system.
Whether you're new to gardening or an experienced grower, everyone is welcome. Tools, guidance and refreshments are provided, and you can stay for as little or as long as you'd like.
Kids are very welcome but must be supervised.
♿ Access & transport
We're close to bus routes 136, 181, 208, 320 and 336, and around a 14-minute walk from Beckenham Hill Station and an 18-minute walk from Bellingham Station. There is free parking on Southview Road, Oldstead Road and surrounding streets.
There is an onsite compost toilet. If you have specific access requirements or there's anything we can do to better support you or your group, please contact growlewishamnetwork@gmail.com.
Come along, bring your fruit, and learn how to turn a seasonal glut into something you can enjoy for months to come! 🍐🍒
