By Isle of Wight Observer
A parting of ways looks likely between the Ventnor Botanic Garden (VBG) and the charity set up in 1987 to support it, the Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society (VBGFS).
This week moves were initiated to separate the two organisations, after what has been described as a “strained working relationship” between the director of the VBG Community Interest Company (CIC) that runs the iconic visitor attraction, John Curtis, and the committee and trustees of the charity.
The charity was originally set up to support the development of VBG, but tensions became public when articles criticising the way the gardens were being planted and managed appeared in the national press last year, including a letter from curator from 1986 to 2011, Simon Goodenough, also one of the founders of VBGFS.
The gardens were set up in 1969 by Ventnor Town Council and were later managed by the IW Council until 2012, when the then-Conservative administration, awarded a 250-year lease to the social enterprise following a competitive bid process.
Initially, the two organisations appeared to have a good relationship, but Mr Curtis this week made legal moves to sever the relationship which was said to be impacting morale amongst staff and volunteers.
A spokesman for the gardens said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of members who support us and have helped fund the major extension of the Far East Collection this year, one of the biggest developments since 2009.
“VBGFS currently holds funds originally raised for the garden, but it is assumed the charity will make arrangements to distribute those to the garden or other gardens as its constitution will allow.
“We are in discussions with VBGFS regarding monies owed and hope for an amicable and swift resolution.
“VBG and many progressive horticulture and botanic experts believe that gardening must evolve in the face of climate change. To this end, VBG has pioneered the Ventnor Method, an approach that matches the genetic traits of plants with soil type and climate.
As species loss accelerates, this way of gardening with nature, rather than against it, represents a powerful new practice for plant conservation.”
Val Pitts, chairman of the VBGFS confirmed she was aware of legal moves to sever the relationship, but was not in a position to comment further. She added that they currently fund a self-employed gardener and VBGFS had no plans to change anything. She added: “We are open to other applications for support as long as they meet our criteria.”
Charity Commission records show that last year VBGFS had net assets of more than £78,000.