Read how our society has grown and flourished over the years...
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. As a result, ‘Steephill Pleasure Garden with botanical interest’ was officially opened in 1972. The name later evolved into Ventnor Botanic Garden.
In 1986 Simon Goodenough 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, whose name is commemorated in ‘Bob’s Bridge’ in the Australian section, 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, the late Brian Kidd, who was widely known as a broadcaster on Radio Solent. Brian had vast experience and knowledge and was Head of Portsmouth City’s Parks and Gardens Department for many years.
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In 2008 the Society celebrated 21 years with an exhibition and a number of events. The largest was held in September when Alan Titchmarsh, one of our Patrons, was our principal guest. In June 2017 the Society celebrated 45 years of the Ventnor Botanic Garden.
Simon Goodenough
The Society used funds awarded by the Big Lottery to host a week-long party entitled ‘Through the Garden Gate’. Events included talks, 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.
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Also see: 'The Start of the Friends' in ventnorensis 28, Spring/Summer 2021 p10-11