New gardening team appointed for Brighton's Stanmer Park

A £5.1 million restoration project is under way in Stanmer Park and a new team of gardeners has been hired to look after the grounds.

Six gardeners will take care of the park once the restoration project is completed in August.

Brighton and Hove City Council has appointed Rob Dumbrill as the estate manager and Will Furze as estate ranger.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “These roles are critical to ensure that the park and walled garden are restored in a way that protects and celebrates the heritage of the park as a space for the local community and visitors to the area can enjoy, while showcasing the local nature landscape and promoting opportunities for people to share in its wider future and protection.”

Rob and Will will be responsible for managing the estate, park and woodland areas as well as organising activities and volunteering opportunities.

Rob started as an apprentice gardener with Lewes District Council and has worked on horticultural and heritage projects for the last 28 years. He said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Stanmer Estate evolve over the coming months to look even more beautiful and cared for.

“We’re excited about encouraging more people to visit the park and discover what an interesting and important place Stanmer is, both locally and nationally.”

The project is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Fund, Brighton and Hove City Council, Plumpton College and South Downs National Park Authority.

Buxton Building Contractors Ltd started work in June last year and is due to be completed by August.

Ranger Will has already worked for the city council’s parks department for more than ten years.

He said: “I enjoy the woodland management work we carry out with volunteers, particularly the hazel coppicing work.

“I’m really excited about encouraging more volunteers to join us and actively engage with the estate.”

Will and volunteers will be clearing overgrown vegetation within Stanmer Church yard over the next few weeks and encouraging residents in Moulsecoomb and Coldean to join the Friends of Stanmer Park group.

The walled garden, which has been leased to Plumpton College, was formerly Stanmer House’s kitchen garden and more recently used as the city council’s plant nursery.

The project will see the area transformed into an attractive expertly designed garden with a new café, retail space and opportunities for horticultural teaching, learning and volunteering.

The college has appointed Peter Wood as senior gardener and Lydia Samuel as learning outreach officer in preparation for the walled garden to open to the public this summer.

Peter, who previously worked in the walled garden at Borde Hill Garden, near Haywards Heath, said: “Having studied horticulture at the Plumpton College Stanmer campus, this feels like a homecoming for me. I have followed the walled garden restoration project closely since it was first proposed and known from the outset that I wanted to be a part of it. I am passionate about breathing life back into a forgotten part of Brighton’s history.

“The garden promises to bring something for everyone – a place for plant lovers, a place to inspire, a space for families, one garden for all.”

Lydia will be helping to connect more of the community with the park and hosting community groups, school visits and tours to the walled garden.

She said: “I am very excited to be part of this project which combines my passion for dynamic, hands-on learning and engaging people of all ages with my love of gardening, nature and history. I have two decades of experience in primary education and I’m excited to engage and inspire volunteers and visitors from the local community.”

Apprentices Hannah Maplesden and Kate Nannery will also be part of the garden team. The 20-hectare renovation project area also includes building a new welcome centre at the Lower Lodges. The Grade II Frankland Monument will be restored and an additional car park and new shared pedestrian and cycle path created.