Helping the Friends

There any many ways that you can get involved with the Friends to fit in with your availability and expertise.  Volunteers with spare time are always required to help at the Friends’ fund raising functions throughout the year, these include teas and plant sales at gardens open under the NGS  Open Garden Scheme, the annual plant sale and manning the Friends’ stall at shows around the Island.

The Executive Committee welcomes new members to enhance its knowledge base and bring fresh ideas to be incorporated into the work of the Society.  Committee meetings are generally bi-monthly on Friday mornings at the Garden.  Other opportunities with the Friends include organising and participating in events, fundraising and marketing.

The Society welcomes donations and legacies that can be used by the Society to enhance the Garden.

Volunteering in the Garden

Volunteers are always needed and warmly welcomed to help both in the Garden itself and with activities organised by the Friends.

A regular gardening group meets on Wednesdays at 10am­­ to work outside under supervision until 12.30pm, weather permitting.  Bring hand tools and a drink to have at coffee break, go to the far end of the car park and meet the other volunteers.  Other times to suit you can be arranged with the Garden staff.  You can also choose to specialise in a particular area of the Garden and work with the gardener nominated for that area.

Some volunteers work in the potting shed or assist with propagation for the plant sales area. We also need help to collect seeds and clean and package them over the winter, which can be done by less mobile volunteers.

Volunteers are also invited to train as tour guides or for ‘meet & greet’ to welcome visitors to the Garden and help them get the most from their visit.  All age groups are valued.  Not only do you work in beautiful surroundings but there is a great pride and satisfaction in volunteering and a chance to learn from the staff and other knowledgeable gardeners.  Garden volunteers will be given free entry when they visit at other times.

For further information or to offer to help, please contact: –

Gardening   –   Bridgette Sibbick  –  bdsibbick@yahoo.co.uk

Tour Guides – Jane Cooper      –       kjanecooper@yahoo.co.uk

General     –     Rosemary Stewart –  rosemarystewart@icloud.com