Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society are planning to celebrate in style this summer after being awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund to stage a number of free events over a whole week to mark the Garden’s 45th birthday on 21st June 2017.
It’s 45 years since Lord Louis Mountbatten, then Governor of the Isle of Wight, officially opened the Garden to the public after the closure of the Royal National Hospital. There have been many changes to Island life over that time but the Garden continues to thrive as a destination for tourists and Islanders alike.
The Friends saw an opportunity to apply for a grant to celebrate community life and have planned a programme of events to appeal to all members of our local community.
Called ‘Through the Garden Gate’, it is hoped the festival will offer something for everyone to get involved in – young and older, families or singles. Throughout the week there will also be a pop-up poetry exhibition featuring garden-inspired poems to encourage visitors to take a moment to pause, read the poem and reflect on their surroundings.
The programme of events
Monday 19th June – Illustrated talks about the Past, Present and Future of Ventnor Botanic Garden
From 19:00 join the team to learn the history of the Garden by Sally Peake, Chairman of VBG Friends Society; followed by a talk by John Curtis, Director Ventnor Botanic Garden CIC in which you’ll discover the role of the modern botanic garden and see how VBG has developed over the past few years, before finally John will share his vision for this Island gem.
Tuesday 20th June – The Life of Plants – a guided walk around the Garden with Curator Chris Kidd
Join Chris from 18:30 to find out how plants use sex to their advantage! Have you ever wondered how plants reproduce themselves? Is it just the birds and the bees? Discover the hidden kingdom of plants and their reproductive lives. Join Curator Chris Kidd for a walk around the Garden and learn more about this fascinating subject.
Wednesday 21st June – Sun rise on Midsummer’s Day
A very special occasion for all you early birds out there… As the sun rises on this summer solstice, join the team for a cliff-top meadow view as the sun emerges over the sea and bathes the Island in light on the longest day of the year. With gentle meditation and a dawn chorus by local choirs to accompany this magical moment, mark this auspicious occasion for a sunrise like no other.
Meet in the VBG car park at 04:15 with torches!
Thursday 22nd June – The ultimate children’s Garden Party
Join the team for the perfect children’s Garden Party on Thursday from 16:00-18:00. Enjoy a Teddy bear’s Picnic on the lawn; follow the storytelling trail with Island authors reading a selection of Children’s books and get creative at the art workshops where you can make a wish upon a ribbon and hang it in the Garden. Help create a colourful and vibrant banner to mark the storytelling trail and create your very own flag.
The first 50 picnics are free.
Friday 23rd June – Discover the Wellbeing Experience at Ventnor Botanic Garden
Try an exercise class or join the gardening volunteers to ‘buddy with the bindweed’.
With a rich heritage of health and wellbeing that continues on the Friday, Ventnor Botanic Garden is home to the Wellbeing Experience – a programme of classes all designed to improve your wellbeing. From yoga and reiki to guitar and painting lessons. VBG is delighted to offer a number of free taster classes early evening on Friday. Places are limited so booking is advised.
If being outside is more your style VBG would love your help for a couple of hours from 10:00 until midday, a day or even longer. Help battle the bindweed by joining the Garden volunteers to help tackle this pernicious plant.
Any of the week’s events can be booked by calling 01983 855397 or emailing [email protected].
