Meet the Staff

Graham Richardson – Gardener/Manager

Graham came to Grappenhall after a time as a Horticultural Lecturer and has wide practical experience including time at Ness Gardens and the Henry Doubleday Research Association.

His function is to maintain the garden and also to ensure that visitors are welcomed and groups are guided. He is helped in this by a small, but growing band of community volunteers.

Graham is keen to involve the community and will be encouraging local schools to visit and participate in projects relating to the garden.

You can contact Graham on 01925 213638 or e-mail him at grichardson@ghwalledgarden.org.uk.

Kate Fitch – Community Outreach Officer

We have recently employed a new Community Outreach Officer and we are very pleased to welcome Mrs Kate Fitch to the team. Kate was Horticulturalist and Commercial Manager for for the Walton Lea Partnership for many years and brings a wealth of experience with her.

The role of the Community Outreach Officer is to engage with the local and wider community, raise the profile of the garden and to develop events, workshops and outreach sessions relating to the historical and environmental legacy of the garden.

Programmes cater for various groups including family events, horticultural courses, school curriculum sessions, after school clubs, outreach talks, adult courses and guided tours of the grounds.

The post is paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Outreach Officer usually works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

You can contact Kate Fitch on 01925 213638 or e-mail her at enquiries@ghwalledgarden.org.uk.

Bradley Lowe – Apprentice Horticulture and Landscape Operative

Our new Apprenctice is currently studying Horticulture and Landscaping at Reaseheath College. Bradley attends college on a Monday and works closey with our Garden Manager on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and assists the Parish Warden with any related landscaping work.

Jenny Thrall – Garden Warden

Jenny is our new warden and will be working at the walled garden on Sundays. She will also be providing cover for the Garden Manager from time to time.