Gareth Cox
Originally inspired by growing vegetables with his Nan, Gareth starting an allotment in the Garden during his time there. He completed the Garden’s one year certificate in Practical Horticulture and Plantsmanship in August 2013, before going to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to embark on a 3 year Diploma.
Lucy Rowley
Lucy gives a trainee’s perspective on the Garden from 2013. She completed the Garden’s Certificate in Practical Horticulture and Plantsmanship in August 2013 and describes planting Victoria cruziana in the new Lily House during her time there. She then joined the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
Cynthia Smith
A trainee in the Garden in the mid-1980s, Cynthia helped to prepare and plant the new Palm House and was there to witness the devastation of the 1987 hurricane. She married the Palm House architect, Tony Smith, and they enjoyed their engagement party on the Cory Lodge Lawn.