{At the centre of the information board, below the portrait:}
Portrait of Thomas Fairchild (1667 – 1729)
Unknown artist. Collection: University of Oxford
{The information board provides extensive text which we have transcribed and placed on Fairchild's own page. The text finishes with:}
The Friends of Fairchild’s Garden would like to thank: Architrope, Arts Council of England, David Uzquiza, Hackney Council, Maison Dellys, Moore Harrison, New Hanbury Project, St Leonard’s Church, Transform: Edible East.
Contact: The Friends of Fairchild’s Garden, fairchildsgardens@gmail.com
Design by david@uzquiza.com
Site: Thomas Fairchild (1 memorial)
E2, Fairchild’s Garden
This garden used to be known as the Shoreditch Old Burial Ground, part of St Leonard’s Churchyard, and included the Poor Ground in which, at his own request Fairchild, was buried. The site was redeveloped as a recreation ground in 1892.
Fairchild's grave marker (close to the Hackney Road pavement railings, to the right of the path in our photo) is the only one remaining in the garden.
The 2016 results of a Hackney consultation were that the community wanted: the name of the Hackney Road Recreation Ground changed to Fairchild’s Garden (done); a farmers market held here; the space made more attractive and welcoming. When we visited in 2020 there was no apparent progress on either of the last two wishes.
Fairchild having been a gardener, "the leading nurseryman of his day", contrasts, with some irony, with the sad state of Fairchild’s Garden today.
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