Author Archives: Ellie Brown
As part of our celebrations for Volunteers’ Week 2025, we spoke with one of our longest-serving volunteers, Sue Simpson, about the enormous contribution the volunteers make to The Garden. Volunteers are essential to the functioning of The Garden and maintaining our charitable aims. Without them, The Garden simply wouldn’t be able to run.
Join us from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th June as we celebrate our volunteers and extend our thanks to their unwavering support.
A note from Sue:
Volunteering for a cause you believe in is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It provides the opportunity to help your community, support a charity you hold dear and make a difference.
Volunteering for The Garden started in 2000, the year before it opened to the public. The volunteer programme was set up by a close friend of the Duchess of Northumberland, Ian August and his wife Ann.
Ian and Ann were friends of mine. They were asked to recruit volunteers to help with the many roles needed to bring the Duchess’ vision of The Garden to life. Enrolling as a volunteer for this new, fabulous and innovative initiative became a unique and exciting journey for many of us.
Ann was joined by Tom Pattinson, an expert gardener and plantsman who recruited the volunteer gardeners. Between them, they enrolled 90 friends and friends of friends.
Seven of the original volunteers still remain, of which I am one.
As The Garden grew and the vision of Her Grace came to life, it exceeded every expectation. And with every innovation and extension, came the chance to recruit more staff and volunteers. Over the past 25 years, the addition of the Poison Garden, Community and Education and Lilidorei have contributed to developing The Garden into a major tourist attraction.
But to us the volunteers, and those in need who benefit from our charitable initiatives, The Garden has become so much more, establishing itself as a central part of our community.
At present, 86 volunteers are working in Admin, the Charity Office and the Drop In. They offer assistance as Gardeners, Guides, and Hosts. And each volunteer who gives up their time has their own story to tell.
Volunteers traditionally fall into the retired category. Frequently, the long-awaited retirement can leave time to expand and develop new interests. Whilst still able to work, they do not want the responsibility or the time constrictions of full-time work. Therefore, volunteering provides camaraderie, new experiences and a chance to pursue hobbies like gardening.
In true the Alnwick Garden style, it was decided that we would break the volunteering mould and organise the timed help by the volunteers in a different way from organisations such as The National Trust. Our volunteers are not required to give up a full day with set times for breaks. Our teams follow the needs of the activity to ensure that the support is covered to achieve safety and completion. The activities are organised by the staff and the volunteers follow their guidance. The volunteer’s role is flexible enough to change if change is needed.
The Elderberries programme was founded in 2013, and volunteers have been pivotal in ensuring that guests have a wonderful time in the Blooming Well sessions. Whether it is a party, memory session, baking, painting lanterns or offering support with the trials and tribulations of computers and phones with Tea and Tech, each activity offers support, company and solace.
The roles and demands of the volunteers are ever-evolving to meet the needs of The Garden. Along with traditional gardening roles, there are now Roots and Shoots and The Gentleman’s Garden, working with children and elderly men to develop a keen interest in gardening and the outdoors whilst creating a sense of community and togetherness. For the volunteers spreading care has a role in everything.
The original Volunteers’ Constitution read:
Our objective is to promote the interests of the Volunteers to help develop, fundraise, manage and promote the Charitable objectives of “The Alnwick Garden Trust”
But it is so much more.
Our visitors in whatever capacity are so very important to us all. It was brought home to me quite early on in my journey through volunteering. I joined at the time The Garden was first created. I am fascinated by history and to be surrounded by some of the most interesting deeds in history was wonderful. To be able to share my passion with other interested visitors, as well as enthusing about the new designs and concepts made me join as a Host and Guide. By 2010 I was Chair of the Volunteers and I remained in this position until 2013, it was an incredible time.
In 2015, Her Grace outlined a new project, The Drop-In, which has become my main focus. The Drop-In supports over 55s in the local community who are alone and in need of company. The aim is to encourage people to join us, make friends and enjoy life in a place which feels like home. I have also been Chair of the volunteers for the last 4 years and represent them on the Strategic Heads Committee.
The Garden had, and does, evoke much excitement from everywhere and many groups came to visit and want to try everything. Early on in my time as a volunteer, one of my groups was interested in The Treehouse and its Wonky Bridges. They were mature adults and one of them was severely sight impaired and with a guide dog.
They were having much fun and daring each other to try the walk. The lovely lady with the guide dog whispered to me that she had always wanted to do something daring and this was on her bucket list. She had heard about it from a friend and she had plucked up the courage to go for it. Would I hold the dog as she worried about him? The dog and I spent the next few minutes looking down the walk and waiting…
When they returned there was triumphal celebration from the group and much relief from the dog and I. This moment came back to me when I wrote a contribution to our guidebook.
“To help someone fulfil a dream is truly a privilege”
As spring brings a splash of colour back to the British landscape, arguably there are no springtime flowers as strangely striking as the velvety purple Pasqueflower.
So, what is a the Easter flower, how is it potentially poisonous and what is the Poison Garden team here at The Alnwick Garden doing to ensure its protection for future generations?
A plant with roots in Christian symbolism, the Pasqueflower synonymous with Easter and is often used in church displays during Lent and Easter. Its purple hues (representative) to the liturgical colour of penitence and mourning, which is worn in churches during the Lenten season, leading up the Christ’s crucifixion. Its emergence in barren landscapes at the end of winter, serves as a living symbol of resurrection, representing the stone rolling away from the tomb and the coming of new life.
Botanically known as Pulsatilla Vulgaris, the Pasqueflower belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, which includes many beautiful yet poisonous flowering plants.
The Pasqueflower contains protoanemonin, a compound released by the plant when it is crushed or damaged. On contact with the skin, the substance can cause burning sensations, blistering and dermatitis. If that wasn’t bad enough, when ingested, even the smallest amount can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, with extreme cases siting side effects of convulsions and respiratory distress. Luckily, they are said to have a bitter, repulsive taste.
These silken-haired purple wildflowers are native to Europe and parts of the UK, including Northumberland, where they thrive in chalky soil and barren limestone grasslands. However, due to the degradation of their habitats and changes in the land use, these flowers are now rare in the wild and are listed as a Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Most surviving wild colonies are found on protected grasslands and nature reserves, where they are carefully monitored each spring, but here at The Alnwick Garden, we have two species within the gates of our very own Poison Garden. The Poison Garden contains over 100 species of Poisonous Plants, carefully cared for and protected by our gardeners, but also studied by our Poison Garden guides.
Although gore and gruesome, the Poison Garden is an essential part of our charitable mission, ensuring that we protect endangered plants, protect the public by educating them about drugs and informing them on the dangers that potentially lurk in their own back gardens to ultimately keep the public safe! Head Guide at The Poison John Knox said, ‘we aren’t trying to scare people from having them, but educate, so they can have this flower safely in their garden.’
Keep your eye out for the Pasqueflower this Easter and always remember the cardinal Poison Garden rule, no pickin’, no lickin’!
As we welcomed the new year at The Alnwick Garden, we also welcomed a new Head Gardener, Mikey Leach!
Having worked for the likes of Kew Gardens and Monty Don, Mikey brings with him energy, a deep passion for horticulture, and a fresh perspective of what The Garden could be.
“As Head Gardener at The Alnwick Garden, I am excited to bring my skills and experience to this iconic destination. I am keen to build on The Garden’s rich history while exploring innovative approaches to horticulture, ensuring it continues to inspire and engage visitors for years to come” Mikey explains.
Since joining us, Mikey has already begun transforming our outdoor spaces into thriving ecosystems. With a deep understanding of botanical intricacies and a creative vision, he champions sustainable gardening that nurtures both the plants, wildlife and people’s well-being.
“Ultimately, I find real satisfaction in knowing that my work creates a space where people can connect with the natural world, experience its beauty, and take a moment to pause and reflect. It’s this connection between plants, people, and place that makes my role so meaningful to me” Mikey says.
Under Mikey’s leadership, the gardening team has been hard at work rejuvenating the rose beds in the Ornamental Garden. After identifying that the reduced vigour and stunted growth of the roses were likely caused by soil-borne pathogens, as well as the natural decline of aging plants, he has focused not on short-term fixes but on designing a replanting strategy to ensure the next generation of roses thrives for the next 20 to 25 years.
Rather than attempting soil remediation, Mikey made the strategic decision to remove the affected roses. As a result, the rose beds in the Ornamental Garden have been dug out, with the soil removed and replaced to a depth of 50cm. This was done to eliminate any contamination and give the newly planted roses the best chance of thriving.
The refreshed beds are being replanted with 320 fresh roses, generously donated by David Austin Roses, the creators of The Alnwick Garden Rose.
Mikey believes that gardening isn’t just about maintenance, it’s about understanding and working with nature. By carefully selecting new rose varieties, improving soil health, and giving the plants the best possible start, he’s setting The Garden up for long-term success.
“If you look after a garden and really pay attention to what it’s telling you, you learn so much from it,” Mikey says. “And in return, it gives so much back to you.” His approach is one of patience and dedication, ensuring that the rose beds will continue to be a centrepiece of The Garden for years to come.
When asked what he was most excited to see in bloom in The Garden, Mikey’s answer was as quick as a flash, the 7ft Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum). But what we’re all most looking forward to, is seeing how Mikey continues to transform The Garden into a diverse and thriving ecosystem for everyone to enjoy. With his knowledge, passion, and hands-on approach, the future of The Garden has never looked greener.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, stay tuned for more of Mikey’s expert gardening tips and tricks, as well as plenty of inspiration from Mikey’s wisdom and hands-on experience.
Whilst the gates have been closed to the public this January, there is still plenty of action happening behind the scenes with our Big January Clean Up.
The Big January Clean Up is our way of preparing The Garden for another year of magic, and it would not be possible without the incredible support of our corporate volunteers.
This year, we have been thrilled to welcome teams from amazing organisations like RBC Brewin Dolphin, Atkins Realis, Newcastle Building Society, Reheat, Worldpay, and Vodafone.
These superstar volunteers traded their usual office spaces for pruners, gloves, and the satisfaction of making a difference. And they have not had it easy; our new Head Gardener, Mike Leach, has had our volunteers suited and booted, tidying and trimming to helping with vital maintenance.
Beyond the hard work, these corporate volunteers have helped create feel-good PR stories that shine a light on their community spirit while supporting the garden’s ongoing charity mission. It’s been a win-win for everyone involved, and we could not be more grateful!
To all the incredible teams who’ve rolled up their sleeves for us this January, thank you! You’re making a huge impact, and we couldn’t do it without you.
To learn more about this wonderful initiative, check out the full story here.
