“It’s such a beautiful place, and so peaceful, and I get to come and be part of it!”
Catherine is a volunteer gardener in Norwich’s historic Bishop’s Garden.
She spends two mornings a week helping care for the ancient garden alongside Norwich Cathedral.
“I love it all, and all through the year,” said Catherine, who began volunteering in the garden after visiting on a Heritage Open Days tour six years ago. She got talking to a volunteer and, recently retired, realised she would love to join the team.
Head gardener Tom Halliburton and part-time assistant gardener Victoria Bleksley are hoping to welcome new volunteers to join the friendly group who help in the garden on Wednesday and Friday mornings – for as many, or few, hours as they choose.
Tom said gardening experience was welcome, but not essential. Volunteers just need to be fit enough to enjoy helping in the garden – with tasks tailored to people’s interests and abilities.
“Being outside, among the plants and wildlife of such a beautiful and peaceful place, can be such a joy,” said Tom. “It’s good for mental, physical and spiritual health. If you might like to be part of the story of the garden, helping to shape and nurture it and perhaps learn some new skills, come and meet us!”
Speaking ahead of National Volunteers Week (June 2-8) Catherine said: “It’s so sociable. I live on my own and it means I get to talk to people who, like me, are interested in gardening. We always stop for coffee, and Rachel, the bishop’s wife, sometimes bakes us lovely cakes.
“You get given a specific job each time you come and unlike in your own garden, you don’t have to worry about how much else there is to do. You just enjoy doing your job, go at your own pace and take pride in it. I think weeding is my favourite, or a bit of pruning. I get so engrossed in it and forget everything else. It’s therapy! And you don’t have to be religious.
“I love seeing the garden change through the seasons – and get cross if something happens on a Wednesday or Friday morning to stop me coming!”
The four-acre garden, next door to Norwich Cathedral, hosts regular open afternoons for local charities, which raised more than £25,000 last year.
Visitors enjoy wandering its lawns and walks and admiring dramatic flower-filled double borders backed by cloud-pruned yew, towering exotic plants, an orchard and wildflower labyrinth and the wonderfully productive kitchen garden. Monks first grew food and medicine here nine centuries ago and the ancient site also has a newly replanted herb garden. It is a place of work, meditation and prayer, and a sanctuary for people and wildlife, with organic principles used throughout.
To enquire about joining the friendly and welcoming volunteer group, email Tom at head.gardener@dioceseofnorwich.org Or visit on a charity open afternoon (1-4.30pm, last entry 4pm.) This month’s dates are 8 June for Norfolk Community Law Service, 15 June for NANSA and 22 June for Norfolk Churches Trust.
Pictures: Above – Head gardener Tom Halliburton working in the Bishop’s Garden. Below – the replanted herb garden, the rose and hosta walk, plant sales, the jungle walk and flower-filled borders.
