As VB readers will remember, we reported back in January about the newly formed Advisory Group for Ventnor Botanic Garden. David Grist from the Group has sent us through an update on developments (sub-headings added by VB). Ed
An Advisory Group has been formed to work with the Council and the Friends of VBG to secure the future of the Garden. Recent speculation, including the false suggestion that the Garden is to be closed, has not been helpful. We would like to stress that they remain well and truly open for business.
The Group comprises a well balanced mix of experienced horticulturalists and local business people with the aim of continuing and developing VBG as an important national and international site for plant conservation, skills development and climate change monitoring as well as being a major visitor attraction for the IOW.
Charitable trust to take control
It is the intention that over the next 12 to 24 months control of VBG will pass from the Council to a charitable trust, the exact form of which is currently being investigated. The Council has agreed to continue to fund the Garden until at least March 2012 but is reducing previous levels of support.
Simon Goodenough, the current Curator, who has headed the development of VBG over the last 25 years has applied to stand down from that position in June. It is hoped that he will continue to play a role in the future advising the new body.
Redundancies on the cards
Partly as a result of this there will be a restructuring of the staffing and, regrettably, a few redundancies.
Staff have been advised of the planned changes and the process is underway to bring this about. Everyone recognises the importance of retaining key skills and knowledge developed over the years.
Master Planner involved
The Advisory Group are fortunate to have been donated the assistance of an experienced landscape and environmental Master Planner to advise them on the possible future development of VBG to further its past success and the overall visitor experience.
The ongoing support of the VBG Friends’ Society is crucial to its future success and the new body will work closely with them to maintain the benefits they have brought for the past 24 years. In addition to work in the Garden they raise a significant amount of money for new projects. Donations and sponsorship will be even more important to the future of the Garden in the future. Anyone wishing to join/help the Friends should contact them at the Garden.
Support from professionals sought
Whilst the plants are the key element of the Garden’s success there is a significant infrastructure of buildings and equipment that is vital in supporting the Garden’s horticultural excellence and rich biodiversity.
The new body will eventually take on responsibility for the upkeep of the buildings and equipment and would welcome support from experienced surveyors, builders, engineers, and IT and PR experts to keep this infrastructure running.
You don’t have to be knowledgeable about plants but just have some spare time and a desire to see the Garden thrive.
Anyone requiring further information or to offer their services to the new management body should contact David Grist at [email protected]
