Head Gardener

Job title:

Head Gardener

Company

English Country Gardeners

Job description

The Kelmarsh Trust is seeking to appoint a Head Gardener who will have overall responsibility for the management of the iconic gardens at Kelmarsh as well as aspects of the wider estate.The Kelmarsh Trust is an independent Charity responsible for the management of the historic Kelmarsh Hall (a Grade 1 listed building), its Grade 2* listed Gardens and the wider Kelmarsh Estate.The award winning Gardens are internationally renowned and are the jewel in the crown of Kelmarsh as a visitor attraction They were created in the middle of the last century by Nancy Lancaster, a keen gardener who lived at Kelmarsh, with the help of garden designer Norah Lindsay and landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe.This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of one of Northamptonshire’s finest gardens building on the significant progress that has been made over the past 20 years to return the gardens to their former glory.You will report to the Estate Director and be responsible for the leadership of the small gardening team and a group of dedicated volunteers who support the work of the team.The GardensThe gardens at Kelmarsh extend over some 8 acres and are laid out as a series of rooms and corridors surrounding a walled garden and with formal lawns on East and West fronts. The unusual triangular-shaped walled garden is mainly ornamental but includes some demonstration vegetable and fruit plots. There is a heated Vinery and glasshouse facilities Much work has been undertaken over the past 20 years to bring the gardens back from a near derelict state, although there is considerable work still to do in extending these enhancements while respecting the origins and heritage context of the inherited layout.The Gardens Management Plan [ updated 2023 ] provides a strategic framework for the gardens and their ongoing maintenance. It provides helpful background and direction within which there is scope for interpretation and enhancement subject to budget and the approvalJob RoleThe role of the Head Gardener is to maintain these important gardens which are set in and overlook the rolling Northamptonshire countryside, and to lead the small gardens team plus teams of Tuesday/Wednesday volunteers who have proved to be very committed and effective over these past 10 years. The work will include all aspects of practical horticulture, including propagation, planting, lawn care, hedges and topiary, rose care, glasshouse work, care of extensive perennial borders and seasonal planning, as well as having practical experience with tractors, their attachments and with all garden machinery and tools.The Head Gardener’s role shall include but not be limited to:

• Manage and lead the gardens team, including the garden volunteers.
• Work primarily outdoors and in all weathers as necessary.
• Ensure that high standards of maintenance are carried out throughout the gardens and throughout the year.
• Ensure that all gardens staff and gardens volunteers are appropriately trained and inducted.
• Organise the timetable for the volunteers.
• Ensure all health and safety and compliance requirements are promoted and adhered to including personal protective equipment and safe working practices.
• Liaise with the Health and Safety Consultant to ensure that all risk assessments are up to date and communicated.
• Liaison with the Estates Office regarding new events.
• Maintain an inventory of all tools and equipment used for gardening and ensure that they are in good condition and fit for service.
• Maintain records of all work carried out in the gardens.
• Manage and supervise contractors and liaise with consultants as appropriate.
• Prepare operational maintenance plan to steer the year ahead, season by season, for discussion with nominated trustees and the Gardens Consultant.
• Produce a quarterly summary of gardens progress activity for each trustee meeting.
• Liaise as and when required with Tenant farmers.
• Arrange the Estate Woodlands Management Plan and felling licence with consultants / contractors.
• Tender and organise contractors e.g. for: pond clearance; tree cutting/felling and tree planting across the Estate.
• Provide input into the compilation then manage the gardens budget.
• Qualifications and Skills
• The position provides an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to make a significant contribution to this important heritage site. The candidate will need to demonstrate:
• Level 3 or above RHS horticultural qualification.
• Experience as a head gardener at another garden of similar scale or as a senior under gardener in a larger team.
• Experience in all aspects of practical horticulture including propagation, planting, lawn care, and seasonal planning.
• Hold NPTC PA1/PA6 Knapsack Spraying qualification and NPTC Level 2 Chain Saw Maintenance & Cross Cutting (desirable).
• The ability to lead garden tours and to host talks about the gardens for specific visitor groups and organisations.

Working arrangements:Normal working hours are 8.00 to 17.00 – Monday to FridayKelmarsh is a 7 day per week operation so there is need on some occasions to provide cover outside these normal hours – occasionally at weekends or evenings e.g. for watering regimes or local events. The timetable can be adjusted in consultation with the Estate Director to arrange time off in lieu for such cover.Salary Range : circa £40k dependant on skills and experience.Background InformationThe Kelmarsh Trust was established in 1982 by the last of the Lancaster family members to reside in the Hall. The Lancaster family had owned the estate since the beginning of the 20th century. During the 1920s and early 1930s the Hall and gardens were taken on lease by Ronald and Nancy Tree who made significant improvements to both the Hall and to the gardens. Nancy worked initially in the gardens with Norah Lindsay and later with Geoffrey Jellicoe. She returned to Kelmarsh after the 2nd World war as Nancy Lancaster and was herself an active and enthusiastic gardener of significance in the mid and later 20th century. The gardens still reflect her influence in layout and partly in style. The gardens are a registered RHS Partner Garden.The purpose of the Trust is to promote, conserve and protect the heritage of the Hall and its environs, to make the Hall and Gardens open and accessible for public appreciation and to provide an education resource and facility for a variety of interested individuals and organisations.The Trust has a number of sources of revenue including income from its visitors to the Hall and Gardens, and also from a successful Events business which utilises the Hall and Gardens for weddings, festivals and corporate events. The Trust is keen to explore and pursue opportunities to improve its current and future financial stability in ways that are compatible with its charitable objectives.Within these objectives, the Trust is working to make Kelmarsh one of Northamptonshire’s major visitor attractions with a variety of events open to the public – including garden walks, musical evenings, food and drink markets, children’s activities, picnics and seasonal fairs.The Trust is a company limited by guarantee with nine Directors who are also charitable Trustees. It is supported by a small and highly effective team of six full and part time staff ably supported by a large number of dedicated volunteers and first class external professional advisers.More information about Kelmarsh can be found at our website https://kelmarsh.comIn line with their Equal Opportunities Policy, the Kelmarsh Trust welcome applications from the widest possible and most diverse range of individuals.Please apply in writing with a short covering letter and CV to Rachel Halley by close of business on Wednesday 15th January 2025 to estatedirector@kelmarsh.com For a confidential discussion please call Rachel 01604 686543 or mobile 07734 385671The first round of interviews is scheduled for the week commencing Monday 20th January 2025.This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click and the Royal Horticultural Society, please clickFor more gardener roles please clickTagged as: full time, head gardener, Live Out, Senior Gardener

Expected salary

£40000 per year

Location

Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire

Job date

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:48:38 GMT

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