Prison eager to show its gardens to visitors
THERE is a rare opportunity to visit the gardens at Guernsey Prison next month and talk to the prisoners and staff who tend it.
The Prison Service, in association with Floral Guernsey, is inviting a limited number of people to take part in an exclusive tour of the gardens and greenhouses.
‘We have three distinct garden areas and three greenhouses which I believe visitors will be impressed with,’ said Dave Le Feuvre, the prison’s head of education, training and regimes.
‘We have a show garden, a beautiful wildflower garden and vegetable allotments where we grow much of the food consumed by inmates in the prison.
‘We estimate that saves the taxpayer up to £15,000 each year and surplus produce is sold on our hedge veg store outside the prison entrance.
‘Monies collected there go to help fund Clip.’
Clip – Creative Learning In Prison – supports prisoners by providing additional opportunities to learn new skills. Mr Le Feuvre said the prison gardens were an example of what can be achieved.
Prisoners are encouraged to get City & Guilds NVQ qualifications in readiness for eventual release.
They can also study for a qualification in bee-keeping and visitors will be able to see the hives and buy honey. Also on show is a water feature which includes an old pump saved from the former prison site.
Floral Guernsey chairman John Woodward, said the open day was a wonderful initiative.
‘We encourage house owners around the Bailiwick to open their gardens to the public. It is one of our most popular events and we applaud Guernsey Prison for taking part.
‘It’s great to see the positive impact the training given can have and the gardens are testament to that.’
The gardens are open on Friday 16 June, between 2.15 and 3.45pm, and the next day between 9.30 and 11am.
The £10 admission donation is raising funds for Clip and includes tea and cake.
To book, email anne-marie.elliott@gov.gg. Bookings close on Sunday 4 June.
Private gardens open as well
FLORAL Guernsey has announced the first private gardens opening to the public this year.
‘It’s a chance to see some of Guernseys fabulous private gardens, that are rarely open to the public,’ said Caroline Allisette, from Floral Guernsey.
‘All the money goes to local charities, with the particular charity chosen by whoever’s garden it is. And it’s not just gardens, tea and cake are often involved too.’
On Sunday 18 June, Le Vallon, in St Martin’s, is open between 2 and 5pm. With the £5 entry donation going to Les Bourgs Hospice
On Sunday 2 July, Grange Court, in St Peter Port, is open between 10am and 4pm, with all donations going to the RNLI.
Full details, including the address and parking, can be found at www.floralguernsey.co.uk
