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Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends’ Society

The Society encourages the use, enjoyment and development of Ventnor Botanic Garden and is helping to increase knowledge about plants.

The Friends organise educational and social events to raise funds for Ventnor Botanic Garden. Plant sales, plant auctions and other events organised by the Friends have raised thousands of pounds.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the Garden. Members may also participate in all events and are welcome to contribute plants they have grown to the spring and autumn plant sales. Whether you love plants, would like to bring your family and friends to an idyllic setting or want to be actively involved, we will encourage and welcome you warmly as a member.

History of the society

The idea of a Botanic Garden was first mooted in 1968 by the late Harold Lanfear, Head of Horticulture at the Isle of Wight Technical College, and Mona Zink. They had valuable contacts at the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, and with the well-known plantsman Sir Harold Hillier and Lady Price from Wakehurst Place. Harold and Mona started the Isle of Wight Botanic Garden Society, acting as Chairman and Secretary.  After much advice and consultation with official representatives on the Island it was agreed with Ventnor Urban District Council that the best site would be the grounds of the derelict Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest.

Ventnor Botanic Garden was officially opened in 1972, supported for the next 37 years by the Isle of Wight Botanic Garden Society, whose object under its Constitution was to encourage the maintenance and development of botanic gardens on the Isle of Wight.

We gained Charitable Status in 2000.  This enables the Society to benefit from Gift Aid, thus raising more funds which go directly to the Garden to assist with the activities set out in our constitution.  In 1986 Simon Gooodenough was appointed the new Curator and, with Harold Lanfear and others, the Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends’ Society was formed.

The late, dearly-loved, Bob Millson drew up a suitable Constitution.  He also edited an enlarged news magazine and watched the Friends grow to over 1,000 members during that year.

In 2005 we appointed our first President, Brian Kidd, who was widely known as a resident panellist on Radio Solentʼs ‘Topsoil’.  Brian has vast experience and knowledge and was Head of Portsmouth Cityʼs Parks and Gardens Department for many years and a Lecturer at Highbury College until his retirement.  Now he is in constant demand for talks and judging competitions and is busy gardening at home and in his two allotments.

In 2008 the Society celebrated 21 years with an exhibition and a number of events.  The largest was held in September when Alan Titchmarsh was our Principal Guest.

In June 2017 the Society celebrated 45 years of the Ventnor Botanic Garden.  The Society used funds awarded by the Big Lottery to host a week long party entitled ‘Through the Garden Gate’.  Events included talk, guided walks, watching the sun rise on Midsummer’s Day, a Members Tea Party and a Teddy Bears Picnic.  The week concluded with a three day Wellbeing Experience hosted by the Ventnor Botanic Garden.

Our Founders: Simon Goodenough, Bob Milson & Brian Kidd

Contact email addresses see below

advertising@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
donations@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
events@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
info@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
membership@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
news@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
volunteering@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk
website@ventnorbotanicfriends.org.uk

For Website follow link below :

Ventnor Botanic Friends’ Society
Published
8 February 2023
Last Updated
8 February 2023