At last night’s public meeting, around 150 Friends and supporters of the Ventnor Botanic Garden (VBG) gathered to hear the plans of preferred bidders, John and Mylene Curtis.
During a short introduction, Mylene explained that she and her husband John have had a home on the Island for fifteen years.
Mylene went on to talk about her company, Fleet Tutors, which she has been running for eight and a half years. It is a national tutoring provider, specialising in one-to-one academic tutoring of young people who have fallen out of the education system.
Re-engage young people
She told us that being involved with the Garden was an opportunity to give back to the Island and believed that the Garden has ‘incredible potential’ to re-engage young people in education.
Four distinct communities will be served through the Garden, not only school children but people of all ages and this fits with the Friends of VBG and requirements attached to the Lottery funding for the visitors’ centre.
Do what we’ve aspired to
Head Gardener, Chris Kidd, told the meeting that the plan being presented by John and Mylene was supported by everyone who works at the Garden.
He said that they would finally be able to achieve what they had aspired to do for years and stressed that the say of the public was very important to them. He said that there were problems that they didn’t have the solution to yet, hoping the public would be able to go to them with ideas.
Community Interest Company
A Community Interest Company (CIC) has been formed which will work alongside the charity, Friends of Ventnor Botanic Garden.
John explained that the Garden would be leased from the council and be held in an “Asset Lock” within the CIC, only able to be transferred to the Friends. He went on to say that when profits are made by the CIC, 20% of the surplus will be transferred to the Friends. He was asked what happens if losses are made, to which he replied that he’d would personally cover any losses.
National Collection Status
The Garden will work towards gaining ‘National Collection Status’ which in turn would lead to ‘botanical excellence’ improving the botanical standard of the Garden.
An Education Programme Manager role would be reinstated along with a curriculum plan for all ages.
John explained that the running costs of the Garden are around £430,000 per annum. Revenue is £180,000 (half of which comes from car parking charges) leaving a deficit of £250,000 pa.
Entry charges
No business can sustain such a loss each year, so it was explained in order to make the system work, an entry fee would be charged.
John stressed the importance of doing this sensitively, taking into account those who use the garden, ramblers, dog-walkers, parents taking children to the playground, those walking through the Garden to get to Steephill Cove, etc.
For those paying an entrance fee there would be no parking charges. As mentioned in our previous report, there would be no fence or wall constructed around the Garden, people would be able to come and go and with the entrance charges being paid through an honour system.
Investment in the Garden
Between £100,000 and £150,000 investment would be made initially with planned improvements for the Garden to include better signage, more relevant information for visitors, trails and an improved education programme.
We were told that Signal Point House (which was previously planned to be sold off separately by the council) may be used to house apprentices working at the Garden.
Looking at sustainable methods for energy needs is going to be key and referring to Eco Island, John told the meeting that they intend to “join that parade”.
Public questions
The floor was opened up to the public and many questions and suggestions flowed for the next hour.
One Friend suggested that Signal Point House provided a great commercial opportunity to be rented out as a holiday let. He suggested that apprentices are put up in town in cheaper accommodation and the premium rates charged for rental of the property within the grounds.
Car parking
Concern over car parking was raised by several people and the possibility of developing the north acres (across the road) for overflow was discussed. John stressed that “nothing would change without dialogue” and assured those affected by any changes, such as traders at Steephill Cove or the Cricket Club, would all be consulted.
The question of how visitors attending classes (yoga, drawing etc) would enter the building without having pay an entrance fee was raised and some suggestions made.
Closure of Eastern entrance
Local resident Colin Smith asked why the Eastern entrance next to the Cricket Club had been closed off.
Chris explained that this had been carried out due to some ‘nefarious activity’ in the area which we went on to say was illegal and not wholesome.
It was decided best to keep that entrance closed for the time being.
Bioversity
Graham D asked for more detail about the biodiversity and historical landscape components of the plans.
John started by explaining that exchanges are currently made with other botanic gardens around the world and this would be developed further. Chris confirmed that VBG already takes part in internationally recognised conservation programmes (more to come on this tomorrow morning) but had never blown their own trumpet about it.
He went on to explain further involvement of biodiversity programmes at the VBG, including details of a rare truffle that has recently been found on a Eucalyptus tree, only to be found at two other botanic gardens in Europe.
Covenant on land
We asked about the covenant that had been mentioned by many before, which supposedly restricted an entrance charge being made to the Garden.
Phil Le May (Chair of the Friends) explained that from the start of the journey two years ago, when the future of the Garden became uncertain due to proposed council budget cuts, it was one of those unwritten bits of information that was accepted.
He went on to assure the audience that the council’s legal department had been through it with a fine tooth comb and say there is no restriction.
Lots of positive suggestions
Suggestions for green gardening courses, selling seeds online, a special entry fee for coaches, an open day for hoteliers and holiday home owners (who would make great sales people for the Garden) were also made.
Lots of support
Overall the plans seemed to be positively supported by all those in the room.
John finished by inviting anyone to join him on his walks through the Garden on a Friday afternoon to further discuss the plans and make suggestions.
