Autumn Winter 2025 Newsletter

Cultivating Knowledge

Autumn/Winter 2025

Welcome to our Autumn/Winter newsletter! I love this time of year, although you will probably hear me say that about every changing of the season. I love autumnal colours, reds, oranges, yellows, and the promise of cosy nights. I particularly love the change in seasonal produce and the opportunity to put together meals based on what we have harvested and preserving ready for the winter ahead.

In this edition, along with wonderful articles written by some of those who have attended our recent events, we hear updates from a number of our WRAGS trainees, and WRAGS alumni members.

As a new cohort of trainees completes their WRAGS placements, I’m fascinated to hear about their continuing journeys in horticulture and look forward to reading about them in our alumni group on LinkedIn. Gardening builds a strong sense of community and connection. Our 125 history is testament to that.

As we move into late autumn and winter, I encourage you to:

Share your knowledge - mentor a new grower, contribute to our forums, or simply chat with a fellow member about what worked (or didn't!) this season.

Get involved - we have lots of interesting learning this autumn and your participation makes all the difference.

Stay connected - join our LinkedIn alumni group, attend our events, connect on social media and keep the conversation going

This is an exciting time for Working for Gardeners, and I'm thrilled to be leading us forward in the footsteps of amazing people and the rich heritage that brought us here.

Thank you for being part of our vibrant community!

Cathy Hastie Chair

1

Donations Received in Memory of Margaret Pool

We recently received the sad news of the passing of former member and WRAG SchemeAlumna, Margaret Pool, who trained with us in 2005 and 2006.

We are very touched and grateful that Margaret’s family have chosen Working for Gardeners to receive donations in memory of Margaret

Margaret’s family have shared the following with us:

“We would like to thank Working for Gardeners (WFGA) for the support and training given to our Mum, Margaret Pool, through the WRAG Scheme She loved gardening and plants Being able to work as a gardener, following her training, brought her a lot of joy and new friends.

Following her passing we felt that Mum would have liked donations to be made to Working for Gardeners instead of memorial flowers, so that more people can benefit from your training

I am really happy that Mum's donation money is going to such a lovely organisation.Thank you for everything - especially the new lease of life that you gave Mum, she was very happy training with you ”

New WRAGS Gardens

Welcome to the following new training gardens:

Blair Castle and Estate

The Charterhouse

BB Garden Design

Auchmahoy

Broadhurst Manor

Ruston

Euridge Manor

Heron House

Kenfield Hall

Kent House

Waddeton Court

Lilburn Estate

Sparsholt Manor

The Manor

Cresswell Golden Sands

Windsor Great Park

Glassenbury Park House

We are also grateful for donations fromTheAnnaYounger Charitable Trust, andThe Louis Stewart Foundation

Thank you to all our hard working Regional Managers for helping to make this happen New gardens can join the Scheme at any point in the year, so if you know of a garden you think would be interested, please do let your Regional Manager know, or get in touch with us at admin@wfga org uk

WRAGS Updates

WRAGS Trainee - Miki’s Story

I’m a passionate gardener and horticulturist from a rural city near Kanazawa in western Japan where I started my gardening journey I moved to the UK with my family in the Summer of 2023 to further my career in Horticulture. I completed my RHS level 2 within the first 2 years I was here, in parallel with volunteering in Kew Gardens and freelance gardening I chose the WRAG Scheme to take my experience to the next level

I’m currently halfway through my WRAGS placement at Milton House, a private estate in Surrey, and it’s been an incredibly enriching experience.

The garden itself is a beautifully varied setting - formal borders, cottage-style beds, a rose garden, meadow, wildlife pond, woodland, and a walled kitchen garden, complete with a stunning glasshouse. Due to this, I get to experience a variety of plants, including herbaceous plants, climbers, edibles, shrubs, trees, to even aquatic plants Each area offers its own rhythm and challenges, and I feel so fortunate to be learning in such a dynamic environment

The hands-on training I’ve received from the head gardener and the garden owner has been exceptional Their generosity with time and knowledge has helped me grow in confidence and deepen my horticultural skills I also appreciate them making space for me to take the initiative to carry on maintenance of the designated area in different settings in the garden, so that I am even more prepared to work on my own after this program We are currently working on introducing a new planting scheme due to the changing climate, in order to be more drought-tolerant.

What I enjoy most is working in the kitchen garden - nurturing plants from seed to harvest is a joy, and the beds themselves are a masterclass in edible landscaping I also take great pride in pruning topiary, hedges, and shrubs to the highest horticultural standards There’s something deeply satisfying about shaping plants with care and precision.

My approach is often guided by Ohara Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement Its emphasis on balance, seasonality, and respect for natural form influences how I design, prune, and even tidy up Before moving to the UK, I gardened in Japan and studied permaculture, which shares a philosophy of working with naturean ethos deeply rooted in Japanese culture and one I carry into every task

I share glimpses of my placement on Instagram at [@niwa.life]do come say hello!

Miki McCrodden WRAGSTrainee

WRAGS Alumni - Elle’s Story

I started my WRAGS placement at Milton House in November 2023 I was a complete novice but knew I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and learn as much as possible! Sally (owner) and Jim (Head Gardener) kindly took me under their wings.

Milton House has a seven-acre garden, consisting of a kitchen garden,Alitex greenhouse, woodland area, and many garden rooms such as cottage, formal, wildflower meadow, spring border - and in the making – prairie!Aday could include seed sowing, bulb planting, lawn care, heavy machinery use, propagation, pond weeding (in waders!), or design discussions (the list could go on!).Adiverse learning experience

During my placement I also – through the scheme – designed and created my own show Beautiful Border at BBC Gardener’s World Live 2024, receiving a silver award.The border, ‘Little Library’ was presented and televised by presenters Sue Kent and Nick Bailey! I can’t thank Sally and Jim enough for supporting me to see it through

I ended up working at Milton for 15 months in total and have come back recently to help with future projects

One of my proudest achievements in the garden is designing and constructing a 20 metre long “dead hedge” (see picture left) after arboriculture workers and storm-swept trees dropped branches. It brings me joy to know how beneficial it has been for wildlife.

Elle with BBC Gardeners’ World Presenter Sue Kent

Towards the end of my placement, I gained enough confidence and skill to start my own solo gardening business, which I now call my full-time job. It has been the most rewarding and enjoyable change of career I could have imagined - I have found my purpose in life

Elle Hepburn, Training Garden: Milton House

WRAGS Alumni: Catherine’s Story

I recently completed my time at Horatio’s Garden Scotland as a WRAGS trainee. It has been an amazing journey and there are so many people who have played a part in my journey over the past 2 years, contributing to all the wonderful experiences I’ve had

However, none of it would have happened if my friend, neighbour and fellow plant enthusiast – Lisahadn’t arrived at my house one day with a bottle of something chilled in one hand and a copy of Gardens Illustrated in the other enthusiastically telling me ‘you should do this’pointing to an article about the WRAGS scheme run by the WFGA(Working for Gardeners)

At the time I was working as a Social Worker. Having worked in Social Care since the mid 2000’s, thinking about leaving a career of over 20 years was scary But as I spent most of my time thinking about plants, or visiting gardens, it felt like a good time to see if I could make the move

From the first time I walked into Horatio’s Garden Scotland to volunteer I knew I wanted to be a WRAGS trainee there. It is a stunning garden, and I wanted to be a part of caring for it.That was summer 2023, and by November that year my WRAGS place at Horatio’s Garden started.

Horatio’s Garden is such a special place It provides a sanctuary for the patients and their visitors, as well as the staff in the Spinal Injury Unit It has been a privilege to be part of the team who care for the garden, but also to meet the patients, their families and friends, who were often up for a blether, as was I. With my background in Social Care I have met and supported many people who have experienced real challenges in their lives and I continue to be in awe of the resilience and positive mindset of people, when faced with significant adversity If my time in the garden could add even a small amount of happiness to their day then that’s been a good day

One of the most inspiring parts of the past few years for me has been the number of amazing women I have met in horticulture, from the support and friendship of Head Gardener Chelsea Lowe, who was incidentally the first ever WRAGS trainee at Horatio’s Garden, to the other WRAGS trainees I have met on various WFGAtraining days There is something empowering about a group of women working together, achieving so much, truly in the spirit of the WFGA

Now I have finished at Horatio’s I am continuing my horticultural learning and have started a college course; an HNC in Land Management I am 100% committed to my new career and also work as a Community Gardener in North Glasgow I will forever be grateful to have been able to go on this journey I have no doubt that without the WRAG Scheme I wouldn’t have known where to start to make the leap into this world

Catherine Tate, Training Garden: Horatio’s Garden Scotland

@catie-plants

WRAGS Alumni: Phil’s Story...

The Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme (WRAGS) has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life, providing paid experiences and opportunities to develop as a gardener. I’ve been able to build confidence and deepen my knowledge of plants, techniques, and natural processes beyond the classroom.

Spending two days a week over a full year in private garden and plant nursery settings, has been invaluable to understand plants and the garden across the seasons. My mentors at Pelham Plants Nursery (Paul Seaborne), andThe Garden House Brighton (Bridgette Saunders) have been exceptional –Awards of Garden Merit for both of them!

Highlights of my year including helping plan, grow for and exhibit our silver-gilt medal-winning WRAGS and Women’s LandArmy themed display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Several fellow past and present WRAGS trainees also joined to support the build or talking to the public about the display and helping with plant sales. It felt very special for this group to come together, along with some of the leadership and management team of Working for Gardeners, and tell people about how brilliant WRAGS is and encourage more experienced garden owners to host a WRAGS trainee.

WRAGS training connects you to expert courses, interesting garden visits and nurturing people, and I have loved being able to visit some of the training gardens of others, and the support of WRAGS regional manager Sarah Farr, whose positivity and encouragement have made it even more rewarding.

I have worked as a doctor for the last 10 years, but now I am able to work as a gardener too! WRAGS has made this career step possible, and I am looking forward to whatever grows next working with people and plants

@p a

NGS Funded Alumni Updates

We recently reached out to some of our NGS funded alumni to find out what they are doing now, and we ’ re delighted to share some of their comments below.

““I finished my WRAGS placement early this year, and am still working on establishing my own micro cut flower farm on a rented piece of land. I’ve mostly sold bouquets at markets this season.”

Eilidh Baker, Training Garden: Heart of BS13 Flower Farm/Hartcliffe City Farm, Bristol

“After leaving my placement, I worked at Thrive as a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, and have just left to take on the role as Community andYouth Engagement Manager at Chelsea Physic Garden. Would definitely say my placement at Meanwhile Gardens thanks to NGS and WFGAhelped me to progress my career in this area.”

Lucy Gilham, Training Garden: Meanwhile Community Gardens, London

“My WRAGS placement (funded by the NGS) was crucial in my career change in spring 2023 (I previously worked in financial services). I have been working full-time as a gardener ever since! I am now a selfemployed gardener, working in south Manchester (trading as ‘Merefield Gardens’). Currently, I work by myself, but I am thinking about plans for someone to work with me for next year, possibly even a WRAGS trainee.

My specialism as a business is plant knowledge.About half my working time is visiting regular clients for maintenance, but I've steered this away from the basics of grass cutting, hedges etc (which when I started 3 years ago I was very happy to undertake!), to be someone who will understand and manage the plants in your garden and know when to prune, supplying and putting in new planting, be able to answer questions or have discussions about plants etc. The other half of my work is one-off projects, which includes garden planning / design work. I'm pleased to say I've had a full working calendar since about my second/third week of my new career and haven't looked back since!

I continue work at Southlands in Manchester, the garden where I received my WRAGS training, but now 3 days a month rather than the two days a week I did for the duration of my training.”

Tom Derbyshire, Training Garden: Southlands, Manchester

The Art of the Autumn Tidy, and Winter Prep - By

Ross Pearson

In this issue we welcome Ross Pearson (@rosspearsongardening), professional horticulturist and garden writer based in Northumberland, whom some of you will already know. Ross is also a Visiting Lecturer of Horticulture and Heritage Crafts at St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham University, and we’re delighted that in addition, he’ll be contributing excerpts from his gardening journal to our Newsletter over the coming year.

This is the season when the garden undergoes its annual costume change The last dahlias can’t hold their heads up, the perennials collapse into graceful heaps, and the borders have taken their last bow after the final curtain call Before the frost sets in, it’s time to restore a little order but not too much

For roses, this is the season of pruning and planting If you’re introducing new stock, go for fragrant, disease-resistant varieties such as Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’for an old-fashioned perfume, or ‘Desdemona’for creamy resilience When pruning existing bushes, remove any dead, damaged or crossing wood, and shorten healthy stems to about one-third Always cut just above an outward-facing bud

Each careful cut on a winter rose is a small pledge to the splendour of next June Gardening through autumn and winter teaches humility It reminds us that the seasons are not an obstacle course but a rhythm, a steady, generous pulse that continues whether we notice or not To garden year-round is to join that rhythm, to dig, prune, and dream in time with the turning of the earth

So, when next you look out of the window and see mist curling across the lawn, resist the urge to retreat Put on your coat, pull on your boots, and step outside The garden, though quieter, is still listening and it always rewards those who keep showing up

Monmouthshire - Ornamental Grasses Workshop Highfield Farm, October 2025

Garden owner andTutor, Roger Lloyd, talking grasses with the group, in the ‘madness’.

Any doubts about the variety, use and impact of grasses were soon vanquished by the enthusiasm and knowledge of plantsman and garden owner, Dr Roger Lloyd, at this Workshop held on a sunny autumn day in October, at Highfields Farm in Monmouthshire

The morning was spent getting to grips with the botany, care, propagation and planting of grasses Anod was given to the work of ‘naturalistic’garden designers including Piet Oudolf, whose blocks, stylised meadows and matrixes of grasses have been so influential.

Roger encouraged us to populate our own and clients’gardens with grasses grown in containers as well as woven into borders, stressing that a limited number should be used for maximum effect Certain varieties are easy to grow from seed and others can be propagated by division in spring.All grasses require little maintenance – apart from cutting down in March – and if any niggling doubts about their role in the garden remained, he cantered through a bewitching list of his favourites

After lunch, it was out into the ‘madness’- a term Roger uses to describe the sinuous beds of shimmering grasses and perennials which he, along with his horticulturalist wife Jenny, have created from scratch.Amere three years has seen this garden rise from an unremarkable field to become a symphony of colour and texture, with varieties of Calamagrostis, Miscanthus, Molina and Pennisetum, among others, towering over visitors and catching the afternoon sun Notebooks were scribbled in as we all tried to remember the wealth of plant names Roger supplied; each one seemed essential, seen at their best in this most inspirational garden

Clare Gogerty Member & PastTrustee

Photograph credit: Justine Gallaccio, Regional Manager, South Wales Borders

Event Feedback

Did you know that we send out an email Bulletin each week that contains information about new events that we’ve added to our website, news, and feedback from our event attendees?

West Sussex - Border Planting Skills, September 2025

Last month I had the pleasure of joining Working for Gardeners for a fantastic day at Shermanbury Place in Sussex, learning about the history of the Estate and its gardens. Our task for the day was to replant the beautiful June border - once the pride and joy of the current owner’s grandmother

We enjoyed looking at photographs of the border in its heyday and, more recently, during its transformation - which involved removing two large eucalyptus trees that had been drawing all the moisture from the soil The bed was then stripped back and enriched with manure in preparation for new planting

After learning about the border’s history, we headed outside.The border was divided into eight equal sections, each featuring the same selection of plants to create a repeating pattern along its length

Within our own sections, we were given creative freedom over plant placement This involved a careful balance of thinking both about structure and creativity, as we decided where planting could soften or conceal the parts of the yew hedge which are in need of a little repair.

Once the planting was complete, we mulched with woodchip, leaving the plants to settle into their new homes over autumn and winter before flowering next spring and summer.The refreshed border will soon form a picturesque backdrop for weddings held on the Estate, continuing the tradition of family celebrations that have taken place there over the years

It was a brilliant day spent learning, chatting with fellow gardeners, and enjoying some September sunshine Ahuge thank-you to working for Gardeners andAntonia at Shermanbury Place for hosting us!

Emily Hamilton WRAGSTrainee

@emilyjoyhamilton

To all those who have recently graduated, or are about to graduate from our WRAG Scheme:

Samantha Belshaw

Sam Savill

Lucy Ferrier

Becky Bartlett

VerityTucker

Mark Selby

Alice Pote

Georgina Spencer

Laura Morden

Julia Prew

Rob Davis

Edward Vessey

CatherineTate

Steve Branch

Scott Jessop

Isabel Sabine

Fiona Shaw

Claire Dixon

Rebecca Burgess-Wilson

Rachel Mears

Alison Bettles

Sam Stokes

Nancy Campbell

Honor Somerset

Karen Phillips

Jeannie Donald-McKimm

Joe Wood

Ellen Pye

Emily Beardshaw

Claudia Silva

If you have successfully completed a WRAG Scheme placement we would love to keep in touch and see what you’re doing now, no matter what your subscription status We’ve created a ‘Private Group’on LinkedIn to help you network with other alumni Come and join in, be he conversation, or start one?

linkedin com/ 3342017/

Lanarkshire - Behind the Scenes Tour at McLaren’s Nursery, August 2025

Southwest of Glasgow on the 3rd ofAugust we had the bluest of skies and a temperature of 22 degrees. It was a splendid day for a Working for Gardeners garden tour. McLarens have been growing and selling to both wholesale and retail since 1973 and this is still a family business They employ around 50 people, andAdam, the Manager, organised the tour, and Will was our guide for the afternoon

JenniferAndrew (Working for Gardeners Regional Manager for Scotland South West) held our meeting point in the shop - we had a good mix of people from all walks of gardening backgrounds and some as far afield as the north of England!

Will led us through the 51 acre site of which 15 percent is under glass or poly tunnels Starting at the seedling glasshouse, fuelled by biomass, the heat was phenomenal 30cm high mounds of composted bark straight onto the concrete floor was a sight to behold in such a huge area, but this is how they prick out seedlings to grow on at McLarens

We moved onto the potting shed - a vast warehouse where each of the 3 machines can pot at least 2,500 plants per day This is gardening on a huge scale The group got an insider peek at the running of this enormous horticultural business - we went beyond the ‘staff only’ signs to gigantic glasshouses of shrubs and perennials, dodging great mist sprayers to see all species from alpines to yuccas.

Finally we were offered a discount of 25% off plants - I had a car boot full of Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’ (for a client) and some Verbena bonariensis thrown in for ballast Of course a lovely day was had by all! House plants to mature trees, McLarens has it all

Christine Gardiner, Member @bloominggardiner

Picture courtesy of Jennifer Andrew, Regional Manager, Scotland South West

Being surrounded every day by an extraordinary range of plants and landscapes, a horticulturalist at Logan Botanic Garden in Port Logan, Scotland, is sharing some charming works of art via an Instagram account called @Miniature Gardener Their creator is shrouded in mystery and tells us that each photo is a small scene, inspired by what’s actually happening in the Botanic Garden whether it’s tidying moss in the glasshouse, cutting back a path, or waiting for a plant to flower again after its season has passed

They tell us that they like to think of the miniatures as a reflection of us: caretakers of something much larger than ourselves, and through them, can show the creativity of horticulture from a new perspective

The Miniature Gardener has grown into a personal project that combines their creator’s love for plants, storytelling, and photography It’s a reminder that even the smallest figures can express something big We think they’re rather wonderful!

Monmouthshire - Lavender Pruning

& Harvesting, September 2025

Wyndcliffe Court House and Garden were built in theArts and Craft style in the 1920s. Much of the garden remains intact, but it continues to evolve under the watchful eye of it’s current owner Sarah Clay, who added the Platinum Jubilee Lavender Border to the Walled Garden in 2022

Our day started with Sarah showing us pictures and going through her process for installing the Lavender Border. She chose 3 varieties - ‘Miss Katherine’(pink), ‘Anniversary Bouquet’(blue), and ‘Edelweiss’ (white).

Sarah then spent some time showing everyone how to clean and sharpen their secateurs Thus, armed and ready we set off for the Walled Garden

The white and pink had been cut back already so we able to compare the ‘before’ and ‘after’. As Sarah wan the plants to last as long as possible she prunes them hard in order to keep them compact She doesn’t use shears, just secateurs - by taking a small bunch in one hand she cuts back to just above the lowest green gro on the flowering stems, creating attractive domes. Eac bunch is put straight into a collecting basket ready to t away for drying

Everyone took on a section of lavender and worked at their own pace, with Sarah on hand to answer questions The day passed in a relaxed manner, with us able to chat and still finish the task in enough time to get a tour around the rest of the garden

Sarah was a welcoming host, generous with her time and knowledge. Its always nice to meet other WFGAmembers, and it was very satisfying to see the completed task at the end of the day

Justine Gallaccio Regional Manager, South Wales & Borders

Tyne and Wear - An Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture Led by Trellis Scotland, September 2025

Trellis, Gardening for Wellbeing, Perth, Scotland recently ran a Workshop exactly about thatwellbeing! It was entitled, ‘An Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture’ and was led by Emma Martindale, the Training and Standards Officer at Trellis Scotland.

I was one of a dozen fortunate participants who attended It was run in Scotswood Community Garden, Newcastle upon Tyne, who also provide a forest school, and run a successful community garden growing fruit, veg and an array of beautiful plants, available for sale The combination of receiving a really useful introduction on the subject and how the organisation Trellis disseminates this important information, and being in Scotswood ‘s inviting green space made it an extra special workshop

Trellis describes itself as, “ the hub of a network of over 480 projects throughout Scotland that use gardening to enable thousands of people facing multiple disadvantages to improve their health and wellbeing”. Most people now recognise there are many benefits to human beings in tending, growing, and harvesting plants Indeed there is a significant evidence base about how simply being around plants and having them in your vision improves our wellbeing

The Workshop explored the importance of developing skills, and delivering knowledge and skills therapeutically in relation to these benefits, recognising that this requires those of us who may work with plants at the moment, and who also want to work therapeutically, that we need to step back and reflect on how this can be achieved

What additional skills would be required? How do we measure the impact to attract funding? What does need to be considered in the landscaping or replanting of a green space which is to provide a therapeutic dimension? How different members of our communities may need different and additional considerations e g would sensory planting be beneficial, does the space need its raised beds to be wheel chair accessible etc

A huge shout out for the amazing work of Trellis who offer courses, and a wealth of information is available on their website, I would definitely recommend attending any re-runs of this Workshop. Thank you Working for Gardeners!!

I am a professional Counselling Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Supervisor,Trainer working with Trauma, Parenting, Individual and Couple struggles

Jude Sellen-Cole WRAGSAlumni Member

jude@impactwellbeing org

Warwickshire - Growing & Propagating Salvias September 2025

‘”Ok, so who here has eaten a Salvia?”

Having spent far too long trying to learn Latin plant names for my college studies, I sat confidently with Salvia rosmarinus in my mind But what? Chia seeds? Well I didn’t know that!!

It’s my second visit to Barn Cottage Farm this year, having spent an incredibly informative Friday morning at the end of March with hosts Malcolm and Ros looking at all things Dahlia-related.

However, today at is all about Salvia propagation As always at these events, there is the usual interesting mix of attendees, and conversation is interesting as notes, tips and experiences are exchanged.

We have some fun trying to decide which ‘what3words’should be chosen to help people find the workshop location, but soon settle down out of the sun to start With accompanying photos, Malcolm guided us through his classifications of Basal, Sub-Shrub and Herbaceous Salvias - giving tips on hardiness and the propagation methods that have been most successful for him over the years (i.e. semi-ripe cuttings, seeds or division).

After a break for coffee (and to consume some excellent lemon drizzle cake and warm chia seed shortbread) we set off on a tour of the gardens to see the Salvia plantings.After determinedly scribbling down the names and photographing over a dozen or so Salvias with wonderful names like ‘Icing Sugar’, ‘Joan’, ‘Mulberry Jam’and ‘BlueAmor’, it became clear that I couldn’t possibly hope to keep up with Malcolm as he said we should head to the ‘proper’garden to the rear of the house where the main collection was located!

The garden looked amazing despite the tough conditions endured through the summer We arrived at the greenhouse and discussed the merits of homemade propagators and heating cables (Excellent tip learnt through experience – make sure you build your propagator to accommodate the size of trays you use!).

Malcolm then gave us free range and so armed with secateurs, plastic bags and paper envelopes we set off Quite overwhelmed, I seek Malcolm and Ros’s advice on which Salvias are likely to be good for someone starting out – seeking some success over perhaps the more tricky and exotic

Needless to say I’m taking great care of the Salvia cuttings I took at Barn Cottage Farm and as my back garden slowly starts to change from being veg only, I can see Salvias becoming forever present moving forward

Andy Hughes WRAGS Trainee,

Worcestershire

Northumberland - Guided Visit to HMP Northumberland Market Garden, September 2025

In September, a few of us had the opportunity to visit the horticultural section at HMP Northumberland with the help of the Oswin Project We gathered at 9 30am having gone through strict security (rather like an airline), carrying nothing but our I D We met in Cafe 16 set up by the Oswin Project (based in Morpeth) which allows prisoners to chef, and serve people coffee, food etc They also make food to sell at the farm shop at the entrance for visitors and local community. It is to prepare them for life outside. Sarah Phillips gave us an introduction to the Oswin Project and how the horticultural section was set up and run

We were taken through a series of locked gates to the horticultural section Along the way behind bars were delightful beds of flowers to brighten the place up Lovely cosmos, geraniums and the like We also passed an impressive orchard. We were met by Jim Short who mentors the prisoners assigned to the section They are prisoners preparing for release and the Oswin Project helps them to interact with the public and assists them with life 'outside'

The section was impressive with a number of poly tunnels growing veg and fruit They grow a lot of their plants from seed which will then ultimately get planted around the prison or sold in the Farm Shop. They were even growing pineapple from seed! They had a very impressive tunnel of indoor plants growing, some many years old Unfortunately we were not allowed phones on the visit, so there are no pictures of this

They also had a woodwork section where they make garden furniture or bespoke projects Lastly, a machinery section where they buy second hand machinery and fix it up to use or sell. As always with such wonderful projects, funding is difficult but they battle on There was a large field where they grow outdoor produce but we were not allowed to enter

At 11 30am, Jim had to leave for his lunch break and all the prisoners were seen streaming to their relative dining areas. We asked if the produce from the garden section was used but sadly it could only go to the farm shop.

At the end of this incredibly interesting visit, we went back through security and retrieved some money from our cars to shop in the impressive Farm Shop I bought fresh sweet corn, leeks, cauliflower, meat pies, scones, biscuits, apples and other goodies. The shop assistant is a prisoner getting experience in running the shop. All the spare produce on a Friday goes to the local food bank, so nothing is wasted.

Thank you Tina for arranging such an inspiring and illuminating garden visit Quite unlike any other I have done over the years I have been involved with WFGA, dating back to my initial training in 1997, and subsequent role as a Co-ordinator (now named Regional Manager) for many years in the Cotswolds and surrounds, Cumbria and Northumberland. If you do a revisit, I urge members and friends to take the opportunity.

Mary Pescod (née James), WRAGS Alumni member & previous WFGA Co-ordinator

Purchase of garden equipment and machinery

RHS Level 2 and 3 qualifications

Garden Design Software and CAD training

Experience and training related to flower growing and floristry

Courses in forest gardening and biodiversity gardening

Each year in addition to making awards to new applicants, it is really gratifying to see our prior year applicants achieving their qualifications and deepening their knowledge.

Applications for 2026 will open on 1 April For further details, please take a look at our website: https://wwwwfga org uk/join-the-wfga/christine-ladley-fund/

Bursaries of up to £1500 can be applied for to support travel and related costs Applications are welcome throughout the year but must be received at least six weeks before the intended date of travel to allow the application to be carefully considered.

WRAG Scheme trainees can also apply for smaller awards (up to £500) to support training and other activities through the MerlinTrust’s WRAG Scheme Bursary, developed in conjunction with Working for Gardeners, which opens in June each year If you can’t wait till then and would like to find out more about the InternationalTravel Bursary, do visit the MerlinTrust website (https://merlintrust.org.uk/) or contact the MerlinTrust if you have any questions about eligible activities.

Finally a Big “Thank you!”

A very big thank you to all our wonderful contributors, and thank you for reading our newsletter If you’d like to write a report or article for the next edition, send your ideas to admin@wfga org uk