RHS boss shown around Grow and Victorian walled garden
DIRECTOR-general of the Royal Horticultural Society, Sue Biggs, CBE, paid a visit to Guernsey yesterday to experience the island’s horticulture history and present-day activity.
Ms Biggs took a whistle-stop tour of the island and visited Grow Ltd and the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden at Saumarez Park among her activities.
‘Times are changing for horticulture all over the Channel Islands and in the UK, but there is such a great climate here and it is so great to have people on the island like Raymond Evison and people at Grow who want to keep green skills growing,’ she said.
‘I’ve been to many community projects before, but this one is brilliant.’
Ms Biggs’ trip was hosted by Raymond Evison of Guernsey Clematis as the pair have worked together within the RHS, and Mr Evison believed the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden would be of interest.
She described Mr Evison as ‘the greatest clematis grower in the world.’
‘She loved the garden and the tranquillity within it as a place for healing, as well as for seeing the growth of the myriad of fruit, vegetables and flowers,’ said Guernsey Botanical Trust volunteer Cathy Morgan.
‘Sue was also shown the inside of the Gatehouse by the builder, Peter Ogier, and was very impressed by the skills displayed on the rafters as well as the beauty of the larch used for the exterior, and the view of the Victorian garden plots from the windows.’
Ms Biggs was particularly passionate about the motive behind Grow.
‘It’s tough if you’ve got a disability, it’s tough to find your way, and I think finding their shelter here and being able to develop their skills in a safe environment is really special and it’s something that everyone should be proud of here.
‘Learning about retail and catering, is a really important thing for the industry and for the people as well.
‘I think the people make it very special and they clearly love what they’re doing and you can tell how happy everyone is – everywhere that I’ve stopped everyone has been having a laugh and everyone’s relaxed.’
Ms Biggs said that following her retirement in June, she would love to revisit Guernsey to explore further and see Grow’s redeveloped site back at Les Quartiers when its redevelopment is completed.
