By Mal Butler
A group of volunteer gardeners, who have more than 100 years’ service between them, have been axed by the National Trust at Mottistone Gardens.
Around 13 volunteers say they are “shocked and saddened” at the way they have been treated, and claim the allegations around their sudden dismissals have never been explained to them.
For years, they have lovingly cared for the award-winning gardens, some working through the pandemic in their own hubs, giving up hours of their time each week to keep the grounds looking pristine.
Graham Field, who is acting as spokesman for the group, twice wrote to the Island’s National Trust asking for an explanation, but their hopes of speaking to senior members of the organisation were dashed this week with confirmation they were no longer working there.
Graham claims: “Initially, in June, we were told that all volunteering was being paused ‘as a necessary step to address serious concerns regarding the behaviours, attitudes, and values exhibited by some of the members of the team’.
“We had no idea what the problems were as none of us was taken to one side and told what was happening. There had been no warnings, nothing.
“Then in July, we received another email claiming that there had been delays in mandatory training; instances of behaviour, language or attitude that do not reflect the culture of the Trust and hesitancy to raise concerns or engage constructively with team members.
“Again, we were completely taken aback by these comments; we have done countless training courses and we are aware of our responsibilities. We know the history of Mottistone Manor off by heart, and can tell visitors all about it as well as explain the various shrubs and flowers we plant.
“At the beginning of the month we wrote back saying we were making a formal complaint about our treatment. We comprise a significant majority of the volunteer gardeners and we have provided between 10 and 20 years of loyalty.
“The comments about our behaviour, attitudes and values are insulting, inflammatory and patently untrue. Neither email contained any proof to substantiate the claims made nor evidence disclosed.
“Because of their actions we felt managers had created a volunteer workplace so poisoned that the majority of us resigned.
“We feel a comprehensive and impartial investigation should have been undertaken, but this clearly has not taken place. Not one of us has ever been challenged, spoken to, interviewed or communicated with in regard to our behaviour.
“In the absence of evidence or investigation into this matter, we believe managers have failed in their duty to follow any process of procedural fairness in making their determinations.
“Over many years, Mottistone gardeners have given freely of their time, energy and commitment in all seasons and all weathers. Now we are left feeling all our work has ended in deceit, dishonesty and disrespect.”
The National Trust wrote to them again this week, saying: “We recognise your position and have sought advice from the property team and considered their actions as part of this process. We also recognise that there will be multiple perspectives to the events leading up to your resignations and it may not always be possible to reconcile these.
“Having considered all the information, our response to your previous communications still stands. I’m afraid we will not be drawn further on the detail behind the decisions made. We now consider the matter closed and will not be engaging in further correspondence.”
The gardens were originally created by Lady (Vivien) Nicholson, in the 1960s, who was inspired by her Sicilian upbringing to create hard landscaping and terracing in the formal area, while the orchard is an avenue of flowering and fruiting trees.
The IW Observer contacted the National Trust with the allegations this week but received no reply.
Isle of Wight Observer