Press Release
Saying it with flowers
Volunteer Veronica Withall enjoys the spring flowers at Wakehurst Place , near Haywards Heath, so much she can't keep away.
Veronica helped to set up special spring flower and bluebell weekends at Wakehurst when she started working in the botanic gardens as a ranger 15 years ago.
Now Veronica has retired from her job at Kew 's country estate - but she is still returning for this year's Spring Flower Weekends as a volunteer.
Over the next two weekends (May 2 and 3, May 9 and 10) Veronica will be sharing her love of Wakehurst with visitors, helping to drive minibus tours for less mobile visitors (May 10 only) and leading guided walks. She will also lead garden tours as a volunteer guide throughout the year.
Veronica said: "I love it here and I couldn't miss the Spring Flower Weekends. When we first started the weekends we had just a few people going on minibus tours, now we have hundreds, some coming from quite a long way.
"People who can't get down to the bottom of the garden are so pleased to be able to get there on minibus and enjoy the whole area, that's what makes it so good.
"There are always lots of familiar faces, with regulars coming back time after time - it's like meeting up with old friends."
Wakehurst has a special place in Veronica's heart. Husband John was also a Wakehurst ranger and the couple met when they both started work on the estate on the same day.
Veronica said: "Wakehurst is a very special place. Spring is fabulous here, when all the bluebells are coming into bloom, but I love it all year round. There is always something special to enjoy - that's why I can't stay away!"
Andy Jackson, Head of Wakehurst Place, said: "Our Spring Flower Weekends are a great way of enjoying nature bursting into life and we are grateful to Veronica and everyone involved who help to make them such a success.
"We have a loyal team of staff and volunteers here at Wakehurst and we are delighted that Veronica is coming back as one of our volunteer guides."
Spring is one of the finest seasons at Wakehurst, with rhododendrons in Westwood Valley , carpets of bluebells in Horsebridge woods, primroses and ladies smock in Bethlehem Wood, and native wildflowers around the 500 acre estate .
Forthcoming Spring Flower Weekend dates:
May 2 and 3 (guided walks on both days)
May 9 and 10 (guided walks on Sat May 9 and minibus tours on Sun May 10)
Note to Editors
Picture of Veronica Withall attached
For more information ring Andy Jackson, Head of Wakehurst Place, on 01444 894067, email wakehurst@kew.org , pr@kew.org or call 020 8332 5607
To download other Wakehurst images please visit http://www.kew.org/press/images/wakehurst
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Wakehurst Place is home to formal gardens, natural woodlands, nature reserves and a Sixteenth century mansion; plus Kew 's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild seed collection in the world. Wakehurst is located on the B2028 between Ardingly and Turners Hill, West Sussex (Junction 10 off the M23) and open daily from 10am , except December 24 and 25. For more details visit www.kew.org or ring 01444 894067.
For further Press information please contact:
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Kew: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5607/5619 |
Wakehurst Place: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)1444 894018 |
