A Celebration of 45 years of the Ventnor Botanic Garden.
Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society are planning to celebrate in style this summer after being awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund to stage a number of free events over a whole week to mark the popular Garden’s 45th birthday on 21st June 2017.
‘Through the Garden Gate’ – Programme of Events
Monday 19th June – Illustrated talks about the Past, Present and Future of Ventnor Botanic Garden
From 7pm on Monday evening join us to learn the history of the Garden by Sally Peake, Chairman of VBG Friends Society; followed by a talk by John Curtis, Director Ventnor Botanic Garden CIC in which you’ll discover the role of the modern botanic garden and see how VBG has developed over the past few years, before finally John will share his vision for this Island gem.
Tuesday 20th June – The Life of Plants – a guided walk around the Garden with Curator Chris Kidd
Join Chris from 6.30pm on Tuesday to find out how plants use sex to their advantage! Have you ever wondered how plants reproduce themselves? Is it just the birds and the bees? Discover the hidden kingdom of plants and their reproductive lives! Join Curator Chris Kidd for a walk around the Garden and learn more about this fascinating subject.
To complete your evening, why not join us for supper in edulis Restaurant afterwards and try our very special 2 course set menu which aims to bring the Garden into life in delicious ways!
Wednesday 21st June – Join us for sun rise at 04:52am on Midsummer’s Day
A very special occasion for all you early birds out there… As the sun rises on this summer solstice, join us for a cliff-top meadow view as the sun emerges over the sea and bathes the Island in light on the longest day of the year. With gentle meditation and a dawn chorus by local choirs to accompany this magical moment, mark this auspicious occasion with us for a sunrise like no other. Please meet in the VBG Car Park at 4.15am with torches!
Why not stay for a light breakfast afterwards in edulis Restaurant before heading on your way.
And in the Afternoon: A Celebration Tea for invited Friends and Annual Pass-holders. This is a ticket event – Tickets £5 from the Garden or Jonyth Hill.
Thursday 22nd June – The ultimate children’s Garden Party!
Join us for the perfect children’s Garden Party on Thursday from 4-6pm. Enjoy a Teddy bear’s Picnic on the lawn; follow the storytelling trail with Island authors reading a selection of Children’s books; and get creative with our art workshops where you can make a wish upon a ribbon and hang it in the Garden, help us to create a colourful and vibrant banner to mark the storytelling trail, and create your very own flag!
We are delighted to offer the first 50 picnics for free!
Friday 23rd June – Discover the Wellbeing Experience at Ventnor Botanic Garden
Try an exercise class or join our gardening volunteers to ‘buddy with the bindweed’.
With a rich heritage of health and wellbeing that continues today, Ventnor Botanic Garden is home to the Wellbeing Experience – a programme of classes all designed to improve your wellbeing. From yoga and reiki to guitar and painting lessons. We’re delighted to offer a number of free taster classes early evening on Friday so why not come and try something new. Places are limited so booking is advised.
If being outside is more your style we’d love your help for a couple of hours from 10am until 12pm, a day or even longer! Help us to battle the bindweed! Join our Garden volunteers to help us tackle this pernicious plant!
Any of the week’s events can be booked by calling 01983 855397 or emailing events@botanic.co.uk
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th June – Join us for YogaVibe!
The week of celebratory activities culminates in Ventnor Botanic Garden’s wonderful YogaVibe weekend, and to help as many people to get involved as possible we’re delighted to offer free crèche places at a local nursery so that they can relax and join in too.
Tickets can be purchased online for YogaVibe visit www.botanic.co.uk or by calling 01983 855397.