In the same week extreme weather warnings were issued across the UK, we welcomed our new Head Gardener to the Englefield Estate Team.
Lucy Baker joins us from the Oratory School at Woodcote in Oxfordshire, where she worked as their Lead Gardener.
She had been a regular visitor to Englefield village, enjoying the tea rooms and the gardens on several occasions, and often wondered if a job might become available, describing the opportunity to take on the Head Gardener role as “quite serendipitous.”
The extreme heat and lack of rain during July meant Lucy had a “baptism of fire” and her plans to “future proof” the gardens to cope with more intense weather patterns even more relevant.
Lucy’s creative roots were formed when she worked as an art teacher, but it was her passion for horticulture that led her down the gardening path six years ago, when she took a job supporting the grounds and gardens team at the Oratory Prep School.
She progressed to a lead horticulture position at the separate Oratory School, where she gained hands-on experience and attended evening college classes with the Royal Horticultural Society, undertaking a Level Two Principles of Plant Growth and Development course to further strengthen her expertise.
Lucy outlined her plans for the gardens, describing how she will carry out this work over the coming year and beyond: “I will create a visual plan using tools such as drone technology and digital drawings to add colour and structure throughout the seasons while preserving the garden’s heritage.”
“My main priorities moving forward are ensuring the sustainability of the gardens and how we can tailor this to the current climate, focusing on composting, establishing young trees, and plant selection for prolonged drought and prolonged rain.”
James Meade, Head of Rural Land and Property at the Englefield Estate, said: “We feel very fortunate to have appointed Lucy as successor to Susan Broughton, who has served as our Head Gardener for nearly ten years.
“Susan has made an enormous contribution to the gardens during her time in the role, working closely with the Benyon family and the wider team. We are delighted that Susan is remaining part of the gardening team and is continuing to share her considerable knowledge and experience.
“Lucy’s background in art and design, combined with her passion for horticulture, brings a valuable perspective to the role. The Englefield Gardens are in very safe hands as we continue to care for their historic character while responding to new challenges, including more extreme and unpredictable weather.”
At home Lucy enjoys tending to her cut flower garden- a personal favourite – which she says she has to keep protected from her 11-year-old son Freddie’s football, as well as hungry rabbits!