Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Open Gardens showcases wildlife-friendly gardens across the county to our green-fingered supporters. In 2021 we celebrated the 10^th year of Open Gardens events and they have raised over £100,000 since its inaugural year as part of our 50^th Anniversary celebration. This simply could not have happened without the amazing dedication and enthusiasm of the Open Gardens coordinators, Jo, Becky and Steve. Esme, Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s, Community Fundraising Officer met with the team to say a big thank you for their support…

What encouraged you to join Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer team?

Steve: After I retired from working in a school – and in between salvaging an unruly garden – I saw that Cornwall Wildlife Trust were advertising for a coordinator for Open Garden. My partner suggested it would be a good thing to keep me occupied, as if I didn’t have enough with my own three and half acres! So, I went to an Open Garden at Becky’s house and had great fun, got stuck in and I’ve been here ever since.

What kind of community have you found through working at Cornwall Wildlife Trust?

Becky: A really lovely, friendly one. I have two great fellow coordinators; we get on really well together and the rest of the volunteers are great. They’re a lovely group of people, all friendly, there’s no cliques. There have been a few staff changes since I joined, but all the staff have been so helpful and friendly. I’ve really enjoyed working for and with them.

Jo: Ditto that, Becky. Another thing for me is you’re given responsibilities: we feel supported by the staff, but also treated like one of the team. We’ve all been used to holding responsible jobs: we’re not treated as ‘just’ volunteers; we’re part of the team. We feel valued is what I’m trying to say. We feel empowered to get on and do the role but well supported when we need it. I’ve done other volunteer jobs where you’re not valued in the same way. Here the value of us as volunteers feels genuine.

What’s your favourite aspect about working with Cornwall Wildlife Trust?

Jo: It’s the teamwork at all levels: with garden owners, with volunteers, with the other coordinators, and all the staff. It’s amazing really, I’ve never seen in all my years of social work such a unique way of volunteering. I value that almost more that the contribution to wildlife, I value what it does for other people.

What does it mean to you to work for an organization that is working to reverse the decline of nature in Cornwall?

Steve: I think in this time with climate change and other environmental issues, any contribution that we can make that can support wildlife and the local ecology is of immense value. It’s good to be involved in valuable work that is good for the environment but is also great for people like me who are retired and enjoy the social contact of being involved with a group of volunteers.

'We contribute to the work of the trust, but have great fun doing it!'

Becky: I fully agree. It is so important to get that information out there to people. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust does an amazing job, and the biodiversity of Cornwall is so important. It’s why people come to Cornwall and we need to keep pressing that point and not ruining what is here.

Jo: I also feel the visitors at Open Garden events are encouraged and they learn about what they could potentially do themselves. I’ve spoken to visitors who have been so inspired by what they’ve seen in these gardens, and that in itself is inspirational.

Pasty or cream tea?

Steve: Depends on my mood and how hungry I am! Usually a pasty.

Becky: If it’s a good pasty, then a pasty. But if it’s a homemade scone with jam and gorgeous clotted cream, it has to be a cream tea.

Steve: Why not pasty followed by a cream tea?!

Jo: No choice for me – a vegetable pasty.

Looking out at sea or across a countryside?

Steve: Looking at the countryside. I used to live by the ocean and looked out at it all the time, and I think I prefer to look at the landscape.

Becky: Having lived inland, then close to the sea, and now somewhat inland, I think looking out at the sea. There’s just something magical about sitting out on those cliffs at Boscastle.

Jo: Has to be looking out at the sea.

Spring or Summer?

Steve: Spring

Becky: Spring

Jo: Spring

Beavers or badgers?

Steve: I have badgers in my garden, and it’s kind of a love/hate relationship. As much as I’d love to have beavers in the stream, we haven’t got that far yet. So, I’ll say badgers.

Becky: I love badgers, but I think I’ll say beavers because it’s incredible what they can do for the landscape and for biodiversity, and the amount of change they can make in such an incredible way.

Jo: That’s exactly what I was going to say: beavers, for their amazing work.

St Piran’s Crab or Cornish Chough?

Jo: Chough for me.

Steve: Chough – they’re a lot more interesting to me.

Becky: Chough for me.

It was great to hear not only about the impact Jo, Steve and Becky have made in helping nature to thrive in Cornwall, but also how much they have enjoyed being volunteers. We are so grateful for all they have done and to everyone else who play an important role in volunteering.

To find out more about Open Gardens, click here