BBC Gardener Nick Bailey Donates Entire Garden to University
By Jill Dando News
The University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden is set to be enriched by over a thousand new plants thanks to a donation by its Director, BBC TV presenter and horticulturalist, Nick Bailey.
Nick has kindly donated plants from his headline ‘Plant-based’ garden where plants form both the content and structure of the space, showcased at BBC Gardener’s World Live at the NEC Birmingham earlier this month (12-15).
Around 20 staff and students from across the University are volunteering from Wednesday (18th June) until Friday to ensure “The Big Plant”, as it has been named, goes exactly to plan.
Within three days the borders in the garden will go from largely blank spaces to being fully formed and colourfully planted areas for visitors to enjoy throughout the coming months.
Speaking to the University, Nick, who has created gardens across the world and is now the Director of the University of Leicester Botanic Garden said:
“The replanting of 1,500 plants from my BBC Gardeners’ World garden, represents both a significant contribution to the sustainability agenda but also an opportunity to bring the University of Leicester Botanic Gardens alive in a very short period of time.
“I am delighted to be able to make this donation whilst continuing my tenure at the garden as its Director. The plants are worth in the region of £20,000 and I hope this is the first of many initiatives to raise awareness of the Botanic Garden and all that it has to offer towards Leicester’s communities and culture.
"We’re also especially grateful to The Friends of the Garden for helping with costs towards the transport of the plants and the manure needed to prepare the beds.”
The Big Plant supports the University’s ‘Citizens of Change’ strategy which encourages staff and students to be proactive in undertaking voluntary activities that mutually benefit the individual, the University, and the community.
Professor David Wright, Head of the University’s School of Healthcare and Citizen’s Lead for the College of Life Sciences, who has led the organisation of the event, said:
“This event will not only add to the fantastic array of plants in the Botanic Garden in Oadby, but it also represents a great opportunity for those volunteers taking part to spend some time in this outdoor space and enjoy the benefits to mental health and well-being, as well as the huge sense of achievement once it’s complete.”
Among those volunteering is University President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, who added:
“It’s been great to get stuck in with our team of volunteers and of course I can’t wait to see how it looks when it’s all finished. I’m sure it will be another huge attraction to this wonderful community garden throughout the coming years.”
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