Ventnor Botanic Garden – once dubbed ‘Britain’s hottest garden’ because of its microclimate – has recently come under fire from the public, but what is causing the negativity surrounding the much-loved Isle of Wight attraction?
When the garden was taken over by American John Curtis from the stewardship of the Isle of Wight Council over 10 years ago, many thought that there was a new dawn for the garden, with the charitable trust deemed a good leader.
Despite the popularity and what used to be a thriving collection of plants on show, things recently have taken a turn for the worse it seems with many visitors stating their frustration about the pay-for-entry garden.
“One could understand this of the council but surely the current charity trustees could do better!” – those are the words of 1 disgruntled visitor back in July.
Michelle Cain, who was the head gardener and only joined at the start of the year, recently left the garden leaving just a small team of horticulturists left. This has meant that even simple maintenance such as trimming, re-planting and sweeping have not been carried out on many of the exhibits for some time.
It’s understood that there are now no full-time gardeners at Ventnor Botantic and that staff in other parts of the business, such as marketing, have left. A recent visitor has noted on local forums that they didn’t see a single member of staff when they visited earlier this month.
It has been confirmed that the garden will see no more plants given to its Living Collection by Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society (VBGFS), with the group saying that they would no longer fund plants for the collection until they know they can be sustained.
In her letter to the 300+ members of the society, chairman Valerie Pitts also stated that VBGFS has been at the side of the Garden for 35 of its 50 years so they are determined to continue, despite the issues the garden faces.
Despite reiteration from the current owner that the garden is transitioning from the methods of traditional horticulturalists, hoping to adopt a new approach instead, many are fearful of how much damage has already been done.
Haven’t been there once since they started charging 20 quid to enter. Just like many others. If it wasn’t reported, you wouldn’t even know – it’s just become insignificant. Once a nice place to take a stroll but Ventnor park will do the job just as well.
When did you last go it costs £10.50 for an adult to enter good value i think
I Love Ventnor Park best on the island as far as I am concerned it is a real credit to the workers that maintain it and it is free to enter,
And we pay for it in our council tax
Love the garden o.k there is work to be done but they have spent thousands gradually trying to get things into shape. Give them more time.
It is a con and a farce. It should have stayed with the council, at least the council trim back at least once a year, and council do have replanting schemes.. plus should be free.. one should not have to pay to look at nature.. trees etc..
when it was run by the council and Simon Goodenough it was quarter of a million in debt every year thats why they got rid of it
How much more time? They’ve had 10 years.
I think it’s terrible.
Only in it for the money
I would’ve thought it would have improved since they started charging obscene amounts for entry, shame to see that it has really gone downhill.
just greed… nothing returned.. no care for people…
A very pleasant place to visit and if you pay annually it is only £29-50 and £54-00 for a couple, and if just a visitor you can have a 2nd free visit within 7 days ,,!!!!!!!
I think that’s a fair price.
£54 is a ‘fair price’ for a couple to walk around what is basically a park? Obviously you live in a different world to us mere mortals.
You can walk around every day if you wish , it is a choice we all have and personally I enjoy VBG life is what you make of it , and those mere mortals who don’t like it don’t have to go !!! Simple really but one’s man’s tat is another man’s treasure as the saying goes ……..
We are all different so says Bertie Bassett!!!!!!!
My brother moved to St Lawrence six years ago, and the first thing we went to were the Garden. The only problem was it was practically deserted. Great Garden, and it was a Sunday afternoon, but it should have been teaming in July. Maybe better publicity, and a special exhibit people will come far and wide to see, like a rare plant. But they did raise over £600 in April for Ukraine, which prompted me to give to Oxfam, and the volunteer said he enjoyed visiting the Garden, so people do go. We just need more of them.
Mr Curtis. Your incredible high turnover of staff, many of them skilled and initially very keen tells us something about your management style. Do you really know enough about running a botanic garden? It is not just about growing pretty flowers. Ask Simon Goodenough. .
It doesn’t help he is ex Hunt master for the Island and still rides out with them and funds them! yet he trys to promote vegan foods whilst enjoying seeing a fox ripped apart at weekends families do not want to visit a place that trysxto promote this lifestyle when it’s a lie I agree come back Simon I learnt so much from you when I started my gardening career
Well said, I couldn’t agree more.
Not a nice man. Has a reputation…….
V B G is in this mess becouse of Simon Goodenough
The issues the garden face is Valerie Pitts this woman will do nothing to help for garden she should be removed from being the chairman of vbgfs but no one in vbgfs has the willpower to remove her
Look out, garden running down, uneconomical to continue.
Well, why not put a planning application 9n to build houses!
Dastardly plan but obvious
It’s sad to read all this but building houses just further destroys the beauty of Ventnor.
Why don’t all these complainers give a helping hand themselves rather than condemn. Farmers here are also selling land..hence all these ghastly American- look alike houses destroying the countryside here.
Barbara Rowbury
As an American expat, most of those houses wouldn’t fly in America. With their lack of eaves and porches, they look like Monopoly houses (which is perhaps appropriate).
I don’t know why my comments have been removed . All i said was i visited the garden recently and really enjoyed the visit. I found it relaxing and o.k it needs some work .
Can somebody explain to me why i got 40 plus negatives or have i messed something.
“Can somebody explain to me why i got 40 plus negatives or have i messed something.”
perhaps,.. this is the ‘Island Echo Comments Section’… where most of the posters love to hate..
& they hate anyone saying that something is good.
I only come here & read the comments, so that their collective negativity makes me feel better about myself
(e.g. “I might be a bit of a ‘Richard’ at time,.. but at least I’m no-where near as bad as this lot”) LOL
‘messed something ?’ ha ha ha !! maybe in pants is the answer… ha ha ha !!
Perhaps because your claim that it is ‘gradually’ improving and it simply needs ‘more time’ doesn’t ring true with many people?
I don’t honestly think that many people believe it’s improved since the Council relinquished control 10 years ago. How long do they need to ‘improve’ something which many found to be ok to start with? Add in the entrance fee (it was free previously) and it’s fairly easy to see why the majority don’t agree with your sentiments and you got red arrows.
Unfortunately, for us it’s a place which has been crossed off the list of places to visit.
Can’t hide from social media nowadays. Get enough bad reviews and you’re toast.
To be fair, however, the gardens have also had quite a few good reviews recently, so it’s mixed. Truth will out in the end.
Used to go a lot when it free and I’m glad I had the opportunity. Couldn’t contemplate paying over a £10 per head. Mind you some of these crazy golf prices are pretty crazy nowadays.
myself, I will never pay any amount to look at plants and flowers… do not have to pay to walk around a garden centre !! How can they justify over £10 to go in ? Does one get free lunch with that… or even a free tea or coffee..?? Only interested in filling own wallet.
The article refers to Michelle Cain “leaving” – but I had understood she was sacked ? Is it coincidence this story has suddenly kicked off ?
Always two sides to every story !!!.
Sounds about right.
Spot on as to why it’s kicked off .
Someone with a grievance!!!!
I Still say it’s an enjoyable place 2 go , and each 2 their own , if you don’t like it don’t go ….
No need to spiteful…
The Botanical gardens were a real asset but gradually things began to change. Some unappealing gardens were put in (labour saving probably). The entrance fee went from nothing to an unrealistic charge for the amount of time I, personally, wanted to spend there. I always frequented the cafe but that shut up shop at 4pm and staff were unfriendly. All adds up to “I don’t want to go there”.
p.s Happy to pay a small entrance fee
If the vision is one of low maintenance for a hotter drier environment then that shouldn’t stop basic tasks such as sweeping and general tending to make the gardens look presentable. There is so much potential here, and with good initiatives, sponsorship and affiliations it could become a unique world class destination, an inspiration for horticulture to attract the public and enthusiasts alike…… but I suspect it lacks money, clear direction and leadership.
We went this week and found the gardens delightful. Okay, they are not the traditional pristine beds of flowers and plants but we love what they are doing. 10.50 pounds is a fair price to pay (it also covers the parking)
Sounds like a Ten Pound give-away isn’t all it’s cracked up to be… Hoping for another good handout perchance?
Because this controversy really did blow up in a big way over the course of a few days last week, we went to the VBG and also to Mottistone Gardens to compare the two as both are privately owned and charge a fee for entry. Both emphasise that the climate is changing and new ways of gardening will need to be pursued, both have places where a mowed path is surrounded by unmown areas, and both were actually quite pleasant. Bitter acrimony is unwarranted.
It does seem that the 15 National Trust volunteers at Mottistone edge the beds meticulously and rake, weed and deadhead more formal sections. Lack of enthusiasm at VBG might be the issue.
It’ll get built on, luxury flat for the holibobs. I give it a year before it is announced, after all the Ventnor Town Council want something hushed up.