THE FOURTH YEAR April 2019 March 2020
Worshipful Company of Gardeners FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
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Cover images: top left: Future Gardeners 7 Group in Mint Street, top right – FG8 Group in rain, bottom: FG9 Group at Morden Hall FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
FOREWORD
The fourth year of This is the fourth annual report of this remarkable Future Gardeners has initiative of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners seen the programme working with Bankside Open Spaces Trust. Its continue running three strength lies in the expertise and commitment courses throughout of the partners in the delivery of the programme, the year starting in May, the enthusiasm and determination of the trainees September and January. and the support that the trainees receive from the project manager and each other. The focus on the development of practical skills together with a recognised qualification, and the provision of work experience, industry visits and expert speakers underpins the success of trainees in their progress into the horticulture industry. Having been involved in Future Gardeners awards ceremonies, it is clear that these trainees continue to stay in touch with each other and their project manager Louisa Mansfield and in this way have an ongoing support network. In these uncertain times we look forward with enthusiasm to year 5 and a great future for Future Gardeners. Dr. Heather Anne Barrett-Mold OBE, MASTER, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners
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The Future Gardeners scheme aims to provide horticultural training to people who have been long-term unemployed or faced challenges in their lives and who would benefit from gaining confidence, skills and the opportunity of training and employment. WHAT IS FUTURE GARDENERS?
Developed by prominent organisations in the industry, including The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), The Royal Parks Guild and Walworth Garden, the course now works in partnership with numerous other organisations to ensure its success.
Participants are given the opportunity to gain the skills to be work ready and get an entry level job or go onto further training in the horticultural industry. Although the course is suited to a wide variety of people, it targets those with the most need, such as people not in education or training, the long term unemployed, those who cannot afford other horticultural courses on offer or people who have learning needs or disabilities.
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The course is practically focused, and includes the following: • A City and Guilds qualification in Practical Horticultural Level 2 at Walworth Garden • Practical experience in BOST community parks and gardens • Work experience with horticultural industry leaders including idverde, Greenwich Park, Grosvenor Estates, Chelsea Physic Garden, Hyde Park Nursery, The Conservation Volunteers, Chiswick House and Gardens and The Eden Project. • Research visits and work days with outside organisations in the horticultural sector: Morden Hall, Chiswick House and Gardens, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, The Charterhouse Gardens, Royal College of Physicians, The Barbican Conservatory and other local community gardens in the Southwark area. • Industry expert talks where speakers working in horticulture come to speak to the students at Red Cross Garden about their career paths. • CV building, presentation and interview techniques to ensure students are work ready • One-to-one mentoring and support tailored to participants needs to build confidence
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THE NEED FOR FUTURE GARDENERS
• The shortage of skilled professionals With the OHRG predicting that entering the horticultural industry the skills shortage will seriously in the UK has now been deemed restrict future business growth and ‘critical’ by the Royal Horticultural with horticulture contributing over Society (RHS). This is due to three £9 billion to the UK economy each year factors; the current ageing workforce, these are sound economic reasons to lack of apprentices going into the address this skills shortage. industry at entry level and difficulties • Unemployment can affect mental in recruiting for skilled vacancies. health, confidence and self-esteem (The 2019 Horticulture Sector Skills as well as lead to debt and poor Survey undertaken by Pye Tait for the physical health. A study from 2017 Ornamental Horticultural Roundtable (BBC) showed that if you are young Group (OHRG)). and unemployed you are more than • Horticulture is an accessible, healthy twice as likely to have mental health and fulfilling career option for those needs. At the same time there is looking for a change from indoor jobs a need for horticulture to be presented in offices or shops or those who have as an accessible (no barriers to entry), not yet achieved the qualifications fulfilling career choice to many who to begin a career. There are a wide may not have thought of it as being variety of opportunities from garden an option for them, especially those design, landscaping, floristry, who have limited or no qualifications arboriculture and tree maintenance, and who would prefer to have plant propagation and growing, a career outdoors. working in nurseries and garden centres to maintaining sports pitches and golf courses, the list goes on…
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COURSE OUTCOMES Outline of Future Gardeners April 2019 – March 2020
There were 3 courses that ran over the fourth financial year of the Future Gardeners programme these consisted of: 12 PARTICIPANTS 11 GRADUATED MAY – JULY 2019
Ella Fairhurst Is now the current garden apprentice at the Museum of the Home (previously Dave Cowan known as the Geffrye Museum) Was offered a full time position at idverde Burgess Park Gareth Catherall Secured a role as gardening apprentice Rhona Aquilina at Grosvenor Estates Is now looking for part time work David Doherty George Smyrnios Went into a variety of part-time Started a part time placement at gardening jobs including sessional Burgess Park under the ACE programme worker at BOST Richard Sands Amy English Dropped out due to health reasons Works in garden maintenance for Kris Gibson Jon Stollar Landscapes Currently looking for work Gemini Sim Margaret Manning Went into teacher training Is currently looking for work in Ed Doherty the industry Started an ‘ACE’ placement with Willerby Landscapes
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12 PARTICIPANTS 10 GRADUATED SEPT – NOV 2019
Susan Norris Dan Snell Joined the Coolings Garden Services Went to work with Eco therapy Team in South East London Chey Thompson Parry Dubois Is now employed as a groundsman Was offered a full-time garden at a school in North London maintenance job at Walworth Garden Cheryl Lambert Tony Sheehan Found employment in an Secured a position with Groundscapes alternative industry and is starting an apprenticeship at Kew Daniel DiGiulio in 2021 Dropped out of the programme Lindsay Finlayson due to personal reasons Is working in a garden apprenticeship Lindon Donaldson role with a company based in Dropped out of the programme Canary Wharf due to personal reasons Ana Spadari Currently looking for work Charlotte Whiting Started a garden design course while expecting her first baby
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8 PARTICIPANTS 8 GRADUATED JAN – MARCH 2020
Jake Wood Cassie English Secured a 3 month placement Continued to volunteer at Red Cross in Greenwich Park Gardens with BOST Guillaume Tremorin Tina Hensman Went to work part time with Decided against a career in horticulture Grosvenor Estates and looking at alternative careers Christina Weekes Darren White Working part-time through Fresh Looking for full time work in the industry Horticultural Careers Joanne Ellingham Dominic Moransee Looking for work Signed up with Fresh Horticultural Careers for temporary work in the industry
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STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM OUR
FOURTH ‘Loved the field trips and the work experience in particular was an YEAR amazing opportunity’. ‘…a lot more opportunities for employment than I realised.’ ‘I feel much more confident in my gardening ability… and that has ‘My knowledge has increased, feeling increased my self-confidence and more confident to move on to the next allowed me to apply for and find jobs stage of my life.’ in the horticultural industry.’ ‘…feeling considerably more positive ‘Thoroughly enjoyed going out to other about the future.’ gardens in and around London.’ ‘I never knew how fully functioning I could ‘Thank you so much the course has been be in a garden.’ amazing and really informative.’ ‘Tutors very friendly and knowledgeable, ‘Excellent tutors.’ learning was varied and interesting.’ ‘My self-confidence has improved twice ‘Great mixture of practical and theory.’ fold and my gardening ability just ‘I feel confident in applying for jobs.’ as much.’ ‘I think the variety is what has made ‘The instructors and environment were this course so enjoyable and unique. friendly and very knowledgeable.’ ‘The work experience weeks were ‘Thank you for such a wonderful fantastic and visiting a range of different experience and all of your positive gardens really great.’ support towards employment, learning and confidence.’ ‘Great garden and excellent teachers.’ ‘My confidence has grown vastly since ‘Very enjoyable, good mix of practical starting the course.’ and classroom.’
8 2019-2020 / The fourth year Museum of the FUTURE GARDENERS Home, Grosvenor GROW YOUR CAREER Estates, Jon Stollar Landscapes, Willerby Landscapes, idverde, Groundscapes, Kew Gardens & Coolings Garden Centre Ingeus, Waterloo Community Centre, Thrive, Red Cross Job Centre and Garden and Southwark Living Space Works Community Centre 9 Walworth Jobs! Garden 1 8 Recruitment Graduation event
2 City and Guilds STUDENT Qualification
7 JOURNEY Work experience Chiswick House and 3 Gardens, Industry Morden Hall and expert talks Groundscapes
6 4 Taster days Employment 5 mentoring Rochford’s Garden Nursery, RHS, research Groundscapes The visits & idverde Eden Project, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park Nursery, Grosvenor Estate, Chelsea Physic Garden Love and The Conservation London Volunteers The Working Charterhouse and Fresh Gardens, Royal Horticultural College of Physicians Careers and the Barbican Conservatory
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THE PROGRAMME
1 City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticulture
The course at Walworth Garden With the Project Manager, covered the following: Louisa Mansfield, at Bankside Open Spaces Trust the students • Plant nomenclature, terminology learned the theory and practice of: and identification • General garden maintenance at local • Establishing propagation material community gardens • Maintaining plants outdoors • Working at local BOST sites • Monitoring and maintaining health • Learning to identify weeds and safety • Identification of trees in the local area • Maintaining and developing personal performance • Pond maintenance at Diversity Garden • Establishing and maintaining effective • Planting seasonal bulbs across working relationships with others BOST’s spaces • Preparing the ground for seeding • Mulching borders across and planting BOST’s spaces • Establishing plants and seeds in soil • Maintenance work at Red Cross Garden • Maintaining the appearance of decorative amenity areas • Maintaining equipment and machines
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FG8 bulb planting at the Lancaster Estate
‘I think the variety is what has made this course so enjoyable and unique.’
FG9 washing tools at Red Cross Garden FG9 Pond work with Molly at Diversity Garden
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2 Industry expert talks Across the year we had a variety of speakers from the industry come and speak to the students about their jobs and journey into the industry – these included:
• Shaun O’Regan, Employment Advisor, ‘Love London Working’ • Paul Harris, Temporary Division, Fresh Horticultural Careers • Matt Radar, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Andy Robinson, Community Development Manager, idverde • Miria Harris, Garden Designer, Miria Harris Design Limited • Kerry Barehead, Team Leader, Rochford’s Nursery • Rowena Wilson, Bursaries Co-ordinator, Royal Horticultural Society • Penelope Wood, Employment Advisor, Leonard Cheshire • Ben Tucker, Contracts Manager, Groundscapes
• Richard Bennett, Garden Maintenance Manager
‘The instructors and environment were friendly and very knowledgeable.’
FG7 classroom shot with Andy Robinson from idverde
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FG7 with Matt Radar from PHS
Matt Radar, the president of the of his upcoming trip to London and Pennsylvania Horticulture Society an invitation to visit the students was (PHS) came to visit Future Gardeners 7 offered. The PHS uses horticulture on a sunny day at Red Cross in May. to advance the health and well-being We were joined by Paul Rochford, past of the Greater Philadelphia region master of the Worshipful Company much along the same principles of of Gardeners, Tim Wood, chair of BOST in the Bankside area of London. BOST trustees and Leanne Werner, The students had time to find out more local councilor. about the great work of the PHS and to ask Matt a variety of questions. The visit came about as Louisa, Future We learnt about the various projects Gardeners project manager had recently of the PHS including tree planting visited Philadelphia on a RHS travel programmes, transforming vacant land, bursary and spent some time with the working with ex-prisoners and growing PHS. Louisa met with Matt who told her seedlings for community gardens.
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3 Employment mentoring There were meetings with Shaun O’Regan our employment advisor from the ‘Love London Working’ partnership which covered how the organisation would help the trainees with employment prospects. All trainees had face-to-face meetings with Shaun outside the course times to cover individual topics such as CV writing, interview techniques and covering letters. Paul Harris from the temporaries division of Fresh Horticultural Careers, a horticultural recruitment agency, spoke about the nature of the market and how to join the agency to look for both seasonal contract work and permanent positions in the industry. The students also had the opportunity to gain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. This qualification teaches the students about health and safety on construction sites and is a positive addition to their CVs.
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4 Garden research visits Visits were made to The Charterhouse Gardens, Royal College of Physicians and The Barbican Conservatory. Future Gardeners also took part in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and attended the horticultural ‘Discovery Day’ for apprentices at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew.
FG7 at Charterhouse Gardens
FG9 at The Barbican Conservatory
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4 GARDEN RESEARCH VISITS CONTINUED RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Joe and Mark starting work at the Chelsea Flower show Future Gardeners past and from the current year were given the opportunity to work with award winning garden designer and great supporter of Future Gardeners, Jo Thompson on her garden design entry for the 2019 show. Students were involved in preparing the plants, building the garden and stewarding during the show. They experienced working on the show in the build-up to it opening and mixing with other volunteers and designers alike. Jo is no stranger to the show having previously made ten gardens, this year’s was sponsored by Wedgewood and was a modern design infused with classical elements. Some of the students also attended the RHS student breakfast. This is an event held on the morning of the Friday of show week that gives students and apprentices in the industry a chance to see the show and to mix with their peers.
Dot and Ash at the Chelsea Student Breakfast
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Mark watering plants at Jo Thompson’s Chelsea Garden
‘The work experience weeks were fantastic and visiting a range of different gardens really great.’
Watering at Chelsea Flower Show
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4 GARDEN RESEARCH VISITS CONTINUED Kew Masterclass – Discovery Day for horticultural apprentices and trainees
All future gardeners past and Tom Pickering, Nursery supervisor present were invited to the in the Tropical Nursery at RBG Kew, apprentice masterclass organized Faye Adams, Kew Diploma student, by Mike Fitt, Royal Parks Guild, held Georgi Ennis, Arboriculturist, at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Cecily Eltringham, Royal Parks, Jason and Daniel from the Institute The programme was attended by of Groundsmanship, Ben Preston from almost 200 students and took the York Gate Garden and Miranda Janatka form of talks, discussions, tours and from Gardeners World. All speakers were presentations. Its aim was to provide at different stages of their careers and all a day of opportunities for the students showed a great passion and enthusiasm to learn about the possibilities in the for the horticultural industry. wider field of horticulture. Then after lunch the students went There was an excellent agenda on a variety of different tours including of speakers who lead us through the Arboretum nursery, the Tropical short, engaging presentations that nursery, dealing with plant biosecurity, showed the routes into different glasshouses and the evolution garden. areas of horticulture. These included
Students on a tour of behind the scenes at RBG Kew
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5 Work taster days FG7 shoveling mulch at Chiswick House and Gardens Future Gardeners had the opportunity to go and work with the National Trust in their rose garden at Morden Hall. We helped out with a variety of tasks depending on the season, including pruning, mulching and weeding and had a guided tour round the rest of the site by their gardener Emily. We also went to Chiswick House and Gardens where we were welcomed by the gardeners there and got stuck in with a full day’s work with a variety of horticultural tasks. We also cemented a new partnership one of their sites in Stockwell and learn with Groundscapes, who provide more about their work whilst also grounds maintenance services carrying out a variety of grounds throughout London and the South East. maintenance tasks. Future Gardeners 9 had a chance to visit
FG8 Morden Hall group working on rose bed
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5 WORK TASTER DAYS CONTINUED Planters for Great Portland Estates (GPE)
Future Gardeners 9 braved an early “During the year we sponsored the snowy start to work on the terrace Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) of New City Court for GPE. Future Gardeners apprenticeship scheme which helps local people We took delivery of the plants and in Southwark to establish careers in transported them and all the soil up horticulture. We are also working with to the terrace of the building where BOST on greening opportunities within we then took instructions from our portfolio, during the year Future Helen John (BOST consultant) and Gardeners apprentices installed then got planting. The snow turned to greening at New City Court, SE1.” rain and by the end of the morning the sun had made an appearance! Great Portland Estates
Planting up planters in the rain at New City Court
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FG9 Taking instructions on the terrace at New City Court
‘I feel much more confident in my gardening ability… and that has increased my self-confidence and allowed me to apply for and find jobs in the horticultural industry.’
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5 WORK TASTER DAYS CONTINUED Future Gardeners help build a garden for Housing for Women
New sensory garden for supported volunteering charity working to manage, housing residents unveiled. improve and transform open spaces in London’s SE1 area. Housing for Women has proudly unveiled its exciting new sensory The goal of the garden is to create garden for supported housing residents a relaxing outdoor space for residents in Lewisham to enjoy. The garden has of our ReConnect project so they can been carefully planned to not only be benefit from the sensory environment aesthetically pleasing but also to have around them, including lavender to multiple health and wellbeing benefits enhance the senses with therapeutic for the residents who have recently properties, and herbs that can be used exited the criminal justice system. to prepare and flavour meals. Taking six weeks to plan and create, The inclusion of a pond will also ensure the sensory space was designed by that wildlife such as bees, butterflies Louisa Mansfield, Future Gardeners and insects will be encouraged to visit Project Manager from Bankside Open the garden, and form part of the Spaces Trust, an environmental and natural habitat.
‘…feeling considerably more positive about the future.’
Tony and Parry working on Housing for Women pond
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The 4-bed home provides supported Commenting on the news Jill Maddison, accommodation for women leaving Director of Supported Housing at prison dealing with substance misuse Housing for Women, said: issues. It combines housing and holistic “We are delighted to unveil this new support to help women bring about sensory garden for residents at our positive changes in their lives, reduce ReConnect project. The soothing effects substance misuse, improve emotional of nature are well documented, and we well-being and prevent re-offending. really wanted to include scented and On-site staff help residents to access edible plants due to the positive effects support from local substance misuse on the body, mind and home. services, community mental health “Homes in London with a big garden services, GPs and counselling. They also come at a premium so it’s fantastic we’re liaise with Probation Officers and local able to provide this relaxing space for authorities as well as accompanying residents to enjoy, alongside experienced women to their appointments to help support workers that person-centred improve confidence, independent living support to empower women transitioning skills, reduce substance misuse and from prison into society.” improve mental health.
FG at Housing for Women pond completion
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6 Work experience
This year the students went to Greenwich Park, Hyde Park Nursery, Peckham Rye, Burgess Park, Grosvenor Estate, Chelsea Physic Garden, The Conservation Volunteers and Chiswick House for their 2 weeks work experience.
Gemma FG7 work experience at Greenwich Park
George and Ella work experience Burgess Park FG7
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Work experience at The Eden Project
In addition to the regular work experience options, there was also the opportunity for the students to go to The Eden Project in Cornwall for one week of their two week’s work experience placements. This was the result of a successful application by Louisa Mansfield (Future Gardeners Project Manager) to the RHS Travel Bursary Fund and meant that five students along with Louisa and Mary (Parks Manager at BOST) headed off for a week in Cornwall In October.
Dan and Parry ready to tackle brambles at The Eden Project
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6 WORK EXPERIENCE CONTINUED The Eden Project feedback from the students
There is a full report of the students time at The Eden Project available, please email [email protected] for a copy.
“In all, I had a fantastic experience and “The practical experience across the really learnt a lot, not just about plants week was invaluable as we worked but gardening techniques, how places with so many people from apprentices like the Eden Project are managed and volunteers to horticultural leads. financially, culturally and horticulturally It developed my learning from the and why everyone should have Future Gardeners course across a maverick in the nursery.” the three units of focus; plant nomenclature, propagation and plant Tony Sheehan maintenance. We were incredibly lucky to meet such a range of and so many people from the Eden Project, all happy “From my experience at the Eden Project, to share their knowledge and I learnt many things in a very short experiences. They were all enthusiastic space of time. The diversity, not only and passionate about their own roles in terms of the plants, but also the staff and the Eden community, with diverse and their stories and experiences, was horticultural interests. I felt I was able a driving force behind my enjoyment at to gain so much understanding of the the Eden Project. I was inspired by the project which I will use going forward.” innovative nature of the Eden Project, and the ambition to turn a dead-zone Charlotte Whiting into a plant paradise. As a keen horticulturalist and conservationist, I am always seeking opportunities to learn new skills and share ideas, and so this visit to the Eden Project – immersive and all-encompassing – has been hugely beneficial in shaping my future.” Dan Snell
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The Future Gardeners at the end of their first day at The Eden Project
‘We were incredibly lucky to meet such a range of and so many people from the Eden Project’
Future Gardeners with the horticultural apprentices at The Eden Project
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS A graduation event was held for each group of students at different venues with a variety of influential speakers from the industry including Liz Green, Sheriff of the City of London, Andrew Fisher-Tomlin, Director, London College of Garden Design, Dr. Heather Barrett-Mold, Master, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners and we also heard from past students from the third programme. Unfortunately due to the outbreak of COVID-19 we had to postpone the graduation event for Future Gardeners 9 which was due to be held in March 2020.
FG7 Graduation group at Red Cross Garden
‘Loved the field trips and the work experience in particular was an amazing opportunity’’
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PUBLICITY
We went again to the Landscape Show where we met lots of interesting people and spread the word about Future Gardeners. BOST staff and former Future Gardener students engaged visitors and stand holders at the event and made contact with many organisations and individuals interested in offering work experience or jobs.
At The Landscape Show 2019
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Pro Landscaper – July 2019
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THE CASTLE WITH A WORLD GARDEN
EAST MALLING AND THECHALLENGESFOOD NEW RECRUITS The following were admitted to the FOOD CHALLENGES AHEADAHEAD Livery at Autumn Court in November THE MASTER On arrival at East Malling Research rootstocks that now support around decliningAND HERinsect populations.FLOCK Ann Anderson Institute for a joint visit with the 75% of the global apple crop. Ann is a retired school teacher and dental nurse. She volunteers for the charity Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, Although huge improvements had The recognised need for innovation Perennial, arranges flowers for her local church and has been chairman of her FUTURE we were greeted by Ross Newham, been made in productivity over the in foodGARDENERS: production overall is shown local horticultural society for the last five years, organising three shows the Operations Director, supported past century, the challenges facing inSUCCESS the recentANOTHER increase STORY from eight PhD per year. by Richard Harrison the Gardeners’ the industry in the future remained students to over 30. Questions asked Nuffield scholar. immense. Between 1950 and today, by our party explored funding, Ann’s husband is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Loriners; they farmers produced some 262% which had also increased strongly in have four children, all of whom are Loriners.
Ross welcomed us all on behalf of more food. ROBERTrecent HOWARD’S years, VIEW FROM and THE how CITY+ the Nuffield DATES FOR YOUR DIARY the Director Mario Caccamo. Briefly, link helped research capability. AND MUCH MORE.. he and Richard explained the history Over the next 30 years we need of the station which was established to double food supply yet again. After lunch we were treated to in 1913, in association with Wye East Malling is working on ways some fascinating accounts of the Simon Quinton Smith FRICS College, as the UK’s first Fruit to achieve this, developing new work of five current researchers,
WINTER EDITION 2020 - ISSUE 50 Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has GARDENERSCOMPANY.ORG.UK Experimental Station. ISSNvarieties 1473-091X to ease mechanisation, ranging from work on brown rot specialised in providing property advice to the garden centre and horticultural taking climate change into account on the cherry, through developing trade throughout the UK, for more than 30 years. They outlined some of the station’s and looking for ways of minimising resistance via rootstocks, to soil major contributions in the past, water requirements, finding ways to treatments to combat Apple Simon is a passionate gardener designing and implementing his own garden
REPORT BY LIZ CASSIDY REPORT including developments on apple combat diseases, and dealing with Replant Disease. and has also designed a fruit and vegetable garden for a monastery OVERJOYED TO BE WORKING in Cambodia.
Gareth Catherall was long-term and fighting to get back to work. Guilds Qualification, and many unemployed and struggling until he The course gave me the confidence large organisations host signed up for our Future Gardeners and horticultural skills needed. I’m work experience. Cllr Julie Ann Mills JP course. As part of the course he overjoyed to be working again”. Julie is a Justice of the Peace at the City of London Magistrates’ Court and past undertook work experience at Gareth is presented with his Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2011-2012. property company Grosvenor Britain Key to Future Gardeners’ success graduation certificate by Elizabeth Since then, she has been chairman of the Brighter Kensington and Chelsea & Ireland and as a result has been are the partnerships the course has Green, Sheriff of the City of Gardening Scheme. Julie is an amateur gardener and helps to ‘green’ offered an apprenticeship with their within the industry – the Gardeners’ London, at the Red Cross Garden Kensington and Chelsea surroundings, residential, municipal and commercial. horticulture team, based Company co-fund the scheme, in July 2019. On the left is Louisa in Belgravia. Walworth Garden help to deliver Mansfield, Future Gardeners Project classroom based study, enabling Manager (photograph by Mary The Future Gardeners programme, students to gain a Level 2 City and Trafford, BOST). delivered in partnership with Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), is designed for people just like Dr Timothy Cutler FRCP, FLS Gareth, those who have been out Timothy is a retired consultant dermatologist physician and has just finished his of work for a while or who struggle year as Master Barber-Surgeon. He was on the advisory board at the Chelsea to access training or education. It Physic Garden, 1994-2016, and is currently honorary curator of the Physic now runs three times a year with Garden at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall. great success; over three quarters of those who finish the course go on to He shares many interests with fellow gardeners including botanical, employment in the industry. horticultural, dendrological and medicinal aspects of gardening. He is passionate about the healing power of plants and gardening, especially for Gareth says: “Future Gardeners disabled people and veterans of the Armed Forces. has changed my life. I had been
unemployed for a number of years PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL WARREN
The Spade magazine – Winter 2020
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SEABROOK DELIGHTS AT SPRING COURT COMPANY SUPPORT GROWS It is a rare pleasure to visit a hall for the first time and I was NEW GARDENER delighted to spend the evening in this ancient home to one of Launched in 2016 in partnership with London-based charity the largest liveries, with over 1,600 mainly medical members. Bankside Open Spaces Trust, our Future Gardeners project Apothecaries’ Hall claims to be the oldest extant livery hall in goes from strength to strength. Here Project Manager Louisa the City, with the first-floor remaining as rebuilt between Mansfield reports on the impressive progress of Sara Barnes, 1668 and 1670. one of its first graduates.
We were treated to a most amusing speech from our Future Gardeners works hard to get new people into the principal guest, the broadcaster and writer Peter Seabrook. horticultural sector and is seeing fantastic results. The He talked of his lifetime in our industry after being presented Gardeners’ Company has gone on to further support one of by the Master with our prestigious Prince Edward Award for the first Future Gardeners, who is now well on her way to Excellence in Horticultural Career Development for 2019. forging a rewarding career.
He read out several hilarious letters which he had received Sara Barnes sailed through the course. Before she’d even from his audience over the years, including one from Truro: completed it Sara had secured a traineeship at Organiclea Community Growers, a 12-acre community market garden Dear Mr Seabrook, in your programme on Friday you were The Master presents Peter Seabrook with our in Chingford. This then led to an apprenticeship at the same Summer trip to Kew – Sara on a day study trip to saying how to save plants by covering them with something, Prince Edward Award. garden, match funded by the Worshipful Kew Gardens. but just as you said what, the doorbell rang and I missed it. Company of Gardeners. Would you be so kind as to tell me how to go about it? In her last speech at a formal dinner, the Master replied by deep in the world of plant propagation and care. I feel that warning us that we would be featured in forthcoming editions Now working through her apprenticeship, Sara reflects on I am building the foundations for a career in horticulture. He also said how he was asked for assistance in finding a of The Sun and Country Life. She said how earlier in the Future Gardeners and the support the Company has given I couldn’t have got where I am today without Louisa and Mr Fitch who appeared in the background of his Chelsea day, guests who visited the Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch saw the her. Talking about the course she said: “Finances had been the Future Gardeners course or the generous support of the Flower Show broadcast and how to cultivate a round piece garden in Guildhall Yard created by the Company, with the a real barrier for me when I decided I wanted to go into Worshipful Company of Gardeners and I would like to take of ground 7ft x 6ft. He recounted the offer he received to help of Future Gardeners trainees, which was designed to gardening. I simply wasn’t earning enough to pay for a the opportunity to express heartfelt thanks”. holiday in a flat in Southsea and look after the garden whilst draw attention to the mental health issues faced course and I didn’t have the confidence to go straight into the owner was away, including what rent he would have to by our veterans. paid gardening work without one. CARING FOR THE LANDSCAPE OF WAR pay. Between the laughs, there were moments of reflection Simon Itkin reports on our annual RHS Lecture which last including a letter which finished: She reported on the Court’s approval to link with the “Future Gardeners was fantastic, it really built my confidence autumn took the form of two complementary talks on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and how we look and has given me a network of support that ranges from subject of the use of decimated land and war PS I hope that you can read this. I have a lot of arthritis. It’s forward to welcoming David Richardson, the Horticultural my peers on the course to experienced horticulturalists and grave conservation funny, you don’t feel it so much in the garden because you are Director, to the Livery at Installation Court. members of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners”. happy there. It’s when you go back indoors…. Dr James Wearn, StrategicTHE Operations Manager SPADEat Kew She thanked Stephen Crisp for his wonderful floral Prior to Future Gardeners Sara was searching for permanent Gardens, leads a diverse role within the Senior Science Team. He told us about the Big Brown Teapot purchased in arrangements which this time included herbs, frogs, fruits and roles and undertaking volunteering with the hope of breaking In an article ‘Seeds of Change’ 2016 he writes: “Botanic anticipation of a soldier’s return from the First World War that other ingredients that would have been used by Apothecaries into the horticultural sector. Future Gardeners opened that gardens and natural history museums are widelyTHE perceived WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GARDENERS FORTHCOMING EVENTS was never used. This and 80 other teapots were planted with in years gone by. door for her. She adds: “I heard about Future Gardeners as unrelated to war yet there resides in these organisationsSPRING / SUMMER an 2019 - ISSUE 48 - MINI mint by primary school children and dementia patients, who ‘alternative’ legacy4th June to The war”. Fairchild Lecture, St Giles’ Cripplegate, via the community garden I was volunteering with, Growing Fore Street, London EC2Y 8DA. in spite of their condition, were able to enjoy the memory at Earlier, Assistant Tyrone McGlinchey introduced our guests: Communities in Hackney. The course was attractive because it 6th November Autumn Court Dinner, Ironmongers’ Hall, Shaftesbury 21st June Hampshire Day. A tour of gardens, a pub Place, off Aldersgate Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8AA. Our annual least three days later. He finished by asking us to give time Mrs Cheryl Roux, the Master Fruiterer; Professor and was a free opportunity to build skills in the sector I wanted to Through his researchlunch, a guided into tour ofmilitary a beautiful garden activity in Crawley and awardsits use to horticultural of students will be presented. Speaker: Prof near Winchester, followed by tea with the Master’s Owen Doyle. to young people and the elderly which he advised would be Alderman Michael Mainelli who is a management consultant find work in”. plants (Palembotany)daughter Liveryman Dr WearnTara Holland Prior.develops this theme. Before 13th November Linnean Society, Lecture and optional Supper. “unbelievably rewarding”. as well as representing the Broad Street Ward and Mr the First World4th War July Installation fields Court Dinner.with TheLarkspur Stationers’ and VisitCornflowers to the Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J Hall, Ave Maria Lane London EC4M 7DD. The start 0BF. Tour of the Linnean archive plus lecture by Mike Gunton, Executive Peter Seabrook. He also reminded us how the Apothecaries As part of the course the students undertake work experience around the Sommeof the Gardeners’ were year describedwith the installation byof a new Arthur Director, Hill, BBC the Natural famous History Unit, including works such as ‘Planet Master and presentation of The Prince of Earth’ and ‘Dynasties’. Plus optional supper. established the Chelsea Physic Garden in 1673, whose to give them an idea of the realities of working in horticulture Kew director,Wales as Trophy.making for ‘vibrancy of scenery’. Where it 16th November Red Cross Fair Workshop (venue tba). An opportunity current Director is Liveryman Sue Medway. and show them the variety of roles available. Sara however was possible11th to July work Milton’s Cottagedelicate and Garden ecosystems (Chalfont ato variety help make articles of wild,to be sold as part of our contribution to the Red Saint Giles HP8 4JH) and Chenies Manor. Guided Cross Fair – a biannual event opening on the 25th November went one step further. She identified a nine-month training managed andtour. Lunchplanted at Chenies landscapes Manor (Rickmansworth was achieved.in the Guildhall. WD3 6ER). We welcomed and identified four new Liverymen at the programme and together we decided that that would form 4th December Christmas at Kew. Kew in winter with the dramatic 16th September Guided tour of the World Garden lighting of the trees. Followed by supper. Kew Gardens, Richmond, dinner: Mr Andrew Babicz, who has spent a lifetime in her work experience. Andrew Fetherstonby Tom Hart-Dyke. of The the world Commonwealthgarden at Lullingstone London,War TW9 Graves 3AE. has, perhaps, one of the most unusual stories behind the Horticultural Industry and is now Secretary of the Commissionit of anyspoke garden. Inof 2000 thousands its creator, Tom Hartof Dyke, sites over19th December 150 Carol countries Service at St Stephen, Walbrook, London EC4N was held captive in the Columbian jungle, and 8BN. Join us for our annual Carol Service in this beautiful candle- London Gardens Society; Mrs Doreen Robinson who has a The traineeship led to her apprenticeship. “I was invited to where 1.7mbegan graveto plan in his stones mind a garden are to containattended plants tolit church,preserve in the late afternoon.them Lightfor refreshments after the service. keen interest in hellebores and fruit growing; Mr Malcolm from around the world planted in their respective Children very welcome. apply for the apprenticeship with the same garden. I then families ofcontinents, fallen echoing soldiers. and paying tribute to the plant Goodwin, Principal of Capel Manor College and Mrs Angela approached the Worshipful Company of Gardeners with an hunters of old. Light tea included. 2020 HIGHLIGHTS Evans, Secretary of the Institute of Horticulture and Chair of application to match fund the post, which they generously In early 29thyears September these Sheep wereDrive over oftenLondon Bridge. managed 14th byMarch ex-servicemen Woodland Archaeology, Piggots Wood, Piggots Hill North Come and enjoy seeing this ancient Privilege of Dean, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP14 4NF. John Morris of the Chilterns the South East Branch. did. It is an 18-month four days a week paid role with a City with gardeningbeing a Freeman skills. of The City Sometimes of London enacted. Thethey wereWoodland sent Project willwith guide their us round this ancient woodland to show Master and nine Freemen will take part. us the clues that tell of the past use of the woodland. and Guilds supported learning component. So far I have families and lived in campsites or in basic accommodation. 8th October Tour of East Malling Research Institute, 3rd April Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, Before and at the conclusion of dinner, as well as during completed a Level 2 extended certificate in horticulture, They managedKent ME19 6BH withthe our cemeteries Nuffield Scholar. The and wouldLondon SW3often 4HS. Coffeehelp followed needy by an introduction from Liveryman Research Institute has a significant international Sue Medway, the Director of the garden, and a guided tour. Lunch in the Loving Cup, guests were entertained by the Honourable with distinction”. visitorsreputation and for next strategic of and kin applied arriving research, to findthe restaurant gravestones and then an option of tofallen cross the river and visit the Thrive development and innovation in horticulture, with gardens in the afternoon. Almoner, Senior Past Master Tom Gough’s inspired rendition soldiers.particular King emphasis George on perennial andV visitedclonally- a cemetery in 1925 and propagated crops. Includes lunch. 15th April Buckingham Palace Garden. A guided tour by Liveryman of horticultural, First World War and apothecarial inspired Sara has now begun a Level 3 teacher training qualification brought a memento from a UK widow.Mark Lane, Gardens Manager for the Royal Family’s London gardens. 10th October Harvest Festival and lunch at St. tunes on the piano, played with much gusto and to which will equip her to teach horticulture in the adult Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London 20th - 24th April Florence trip. Tour of gardens and more. EC4R 2RL. Speaker: Dr Henry Oakeley, FRCP, FLS, great amusement. learning sector. EvenGarden now Fellow, about Royal College 60 of new Physicians, finds London. of remains8-12th June York are and Yorkshire.discovered Tour of gardens and more. Lunch at The Little Ship Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Staying in York. everyLondon year. EC4 R 3TB. It is an urgent function of the Commission to Liveryman Dame Marion Roe and PM Nick Evans enjoy the Report by by Miles Watson-Smyth. Sara says: “The experience has been absolutely mind- secure them before the arrival of booty18th June Visitseekers to Hatfield whoHouse. may reception before the Spring Court Dinner. Photographs by Michael Warren and Darren Fletcher blowing; I look forward to going to work every day and am remove items, thus frustrating identification.
www.gardenerscompany.org.uk www.gardenerscompany.org.uk Page - 3
The Spade magazine – Spring/Summer 2019 ISSN - 1473-091X
32 2019-2020 / The fourth year Gender of fourth year Nationality of fourth year With/without Future Gardeners Future Gardeners disability/health condition
FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER19 4 4 19 6 62 6 SUCCESS OF a e h e r r h h a y/hea h e a e h e her h a y/hea h FUTURE GARDENERS
Over the fourth year of the course Number of Future there were 32 students enrolled of Gardener trainees which 29 completed the course leading 0
to a completion rate of 90%. 35 Out of the 29 who completed the course, 0 32 at the end of the year 19 had already 2
secured work with every possibility that 20
more work offers will be received shortly. 1 18 This is a 65% rate of those completing the 10 course gaining employment in the 9 horticultural industry. 0 ear 1 ear 2 ear ear Demographics for year four students
GenderGender ofof fourthfourth yyearearear NationalityNationality ofof fourthfourth yyearearear With/withoutWith/without FFFutureutureuture Gardeners GardenersGardeners FFFutureutureuture Gardeners GardenersGardeners disability/healthdisability/healthdisability/health condition conditioncondition
1919 4 4 4 4 1919 6 6 6262 6 6
a e a e h h eee r r h r r h r h h h a y/hea h a y/hea h e a ee a ee a e h h eee her her her h h a y/hea h a y/hea h
‘I feel much more confident in my gardening ability… NumberNumber ofof FFutureutureuture GardenerGardenerand trthattraineesaineesainees has increased my self-confidence and allowed 0 0 0 me to apply for and find jobs in the horticultural industry.’ 3535 0 0 0 3232 2019-2020 / The fourth year 33 2 2 2
202020
1 1 1 1818
101010
99
000 earearear 1 1 1 earearear 2 2 2 earearear earearear FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
AIMS FOR FUTURE GARDENERS
After the success of our first four years we want to develop the scheme and run more courses as we look beyond year five. To do this we need to generate more funding opportunities and consideration is being given to forming a new Charity as we take this successful project forward. Our targets and impact proposals for this next year are as follows.
• Running three Future Gardener courses per ‘My self-confidence year with 10–12 participants per course enabling a further 30-36 people to benefit from the course. has improved twicefold and my • Enable approximately 22 (assuming 75% success rate) former long term unemployed people into gardening ability paid employment in the horticulture industry. just as much.’ • 30-36 students would gain skills necessary to access employment, including interview skills and CV workshops using an independent career specialist. • One to one career mentoring with exposure to different aspects of the horticulture industry • Work in partnership with organisations in the field, at present more than 30 organisations are currently involved.
34 2019-2020 / The fourth year FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
PARTNERS
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners Bankside Open Spaces Trust Founded in 1345, the Company Bankside Open Spaces Trust is an was granted its Royal Charter in 1605. environmental and volunteering A key objective of the Company was charity. We were set up by a group to promote horticulture through of local people with an aim to improve education. In furtherance of this, London’s SE1 area, making it a greener, members of the Company were more beautiful place to live and work. permitted to ‘bring up’ apprentices We manage and maintain open spaces, in the ‘Mystery of Gardening’. welcome volunteers from both the The Company continues its activities community and corporate sector, in many ways – the establishment run regular gardening groups, support of a library at Guildhall in 1891, park steering groups, organise and take scholarships to students, as well part in public events and educational as awards to students from colleges projects, and offer advice to others. of further education. The Company We collaborate closely with local also part-funds apprentices and residents and businesses to champion makes financial grants to outside green spaces. organisations to promote horticulture. Thousands of people enjoy our open spaces every day. Each of our sites is unique, with its own atmosphere, identify and sense of place. Our spaces include Red Cross Garden, Marlborough Sports Garden, Waterloo Millennium Green and Tate Community Garden.
2019-2020 / The fourth year 35 FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
The Royal Parks Guild Walworth Garden The aim of The Royal Parks Guild Walworth Garden is a unique charity dedicated is to support and promote London’s to improving lives through horticulture. Open Royal Parks in a manner that befits to everyone, their award-winning gardens their status, unique heritage and provide an oasis in the heart of Southwark. cultural value through the input and It’s a place people come to relax, learn support of Guild members, whilst and grow. developing and maintaining a range Through gardening education, training of social activities that benefit its and therapy, Walworth Garden provides membership. Its objectives include opportunities and support for members of promoting ‘The Guild’ and the Parks’ the local community, including vulnerable heritage and diversity, supporting and disabled adults, those who’ve suffered horticultural excellence, supporting traumatic experiences, and unemployed education and vocational training, people looking to improve their professional supporting volunteering and skills and qualifications. outreach working and maintaining and enhancing links with The Royal Their twin aims are to enable public access, Parks. The Guild’s members understanding and enjoyment of horticulture, have a desire to keep the parks and to help people develop the skills and at the forefront of horticultural, confidence they need to find their way landscape and cultural excellence. back to work, independence and wellbeing. In support of these goals, learning underpins everything they do. Whether people simply want to sit and enjoy their surroundings, take part in training programmes, or find out more about themselves through therapeutic activities, Walworth Garden gives them the space, time and help they need.
36 2019-2020 / The fourth year FUTURE GARDENERS GROW YOUR CAREER
With thanks to our supporters and partners The Birrane Foundation
2019-2020 / The fourth year 37 CAN YOU HELP?
This programme has been an amazing success so far and provided opportunity and hope for many people. We believe that the project has a bright future and there are plans to expand it. If you would like to help please contact Louisa Mansfield at [email protected] or call 020 7403 3393
Bankside Open Spaces Trust Red Cross Garden 50 Redcross Way London SE1 1HA Charity reg 1085454
www.bost.org.uk