Meet our friends who help us with The Italian Garden
Since we have started restoring the garden we have worked with some lovely folk. Either in the garden or behind the scenes, here are some of their stories
Matt Gare
GROUNDSMAN
Matt uses his many skills and valuable experience to restore and maintain the garden, harnessing the massive enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers to turn our vision into a reality. When he’s not with chainsaw or rake in hand, you’ll find him in the woods looking for the perfect mountain bike trail.
JAN YEATES
GARDEN COORDINATOR
Jan organises the day-to-day operations in the garden. She coordinates all projects and works with the volunteers and Matt to bring the garden back to life and keep it looking magical. After 36 years with the NHS, Jan moved south to her new home in Devon… very appropriately, in a converted hospital!
IRENE DAVEY
EVENTS & MARKETING
Born and raised in the West Country, with a sterling background in tourism and hospitality, Irene is our driving force behind events, PR and strategy for raising the profile of the garden. Also passionate about ancestry research, we look forward to sharing the intriguing stories of the garden’s occupants, friends and family that Irene is uncovering…
VICKI GARDNER
GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHER
The garden’s official photographer, Vicki records the garden through the seasons, follows the restoration progress and runs workshops to share her skills. She is behind all the beautiful garden photos you see on this site.
ANDREW HOWELL
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Andrew designed The Italian Garden’s logo. He also happens to be the great nephew of the previous owners of the garden, Ken and Doris Rees, and spent many happy days roaming the garden on his toy tractor as a young child!
Nisha White
WEB DESIGNER
The garden’s technical help. Nisha designed this website for The Italian Garden. When she’s not tapping away at a keyboard you can find her pottering away in her own garden or road-tripping in Dede her campervan.
“There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature”