Sole Gardener
An all rounded hands-on Sole Gardener is sought for a stunning Georgian private property surrounded by 22 acres situated near the market town of Chipping Ongar in the Epping Forest District of Essex. The buildings consist of the Main House, a converted guest Barn and a delightful 2-bedroom Lodge Gate house for the Gardener.
The 22 acres grounds consist of 7 acres of mature gardens surrounding the main house and the further away from the property, the more naturalist the surroundings become. There are 15 acres of meadows, a pond, and a variety of mature specimen trees. There is a long gravel driveway to the front of the house, significant and expansive lawns, topiary, water feature with potted plants, herbaceous beds and borders, variety of roses, a large greenhouse this is currently not used and a kitchen garden – an opportunity for the gardener to use for propagation and growing vegetables.
The principals are looking for a friendly live in gardener with a happy, calm, and positive attitude and the ability to following instructions. The successful applicant will have a love of gardens to maintain the existing garden and grounds, be hardworking, a self-starter and require low management whilst being conscious and mindful of the owner’s privacy when in residence.
The Gardener duties include most aspects of maintaining the grounds and outbuildings, although external specialist contractors are used e.g. tree surgeons for annual high hedging and other major repairs. More specifically, duties include lawn mowing and turf management, general maintenance – pruning, weeding and edging, maintaining the herbaceous Beds, kitchen gardening, glasshouse growing and pest and disease control. Candidates will have experience using and the basic maintenance of garden machinery and equipment.
Other duties must be attended to include keeping gutters and drains clear, raking the gravel drive, maintaining security of the grounds e.g. dealing with the alarm company when required, liaison for visiting contractors, tradesmen and deliveries and putting out the bins weekly. A keen eye for detail is necessary with a positive approach to attend to repairs and jobs immediately.
Working hours are March to October 8 am to 6 pm, Mon – Fri and November to February 8 am to 4 pm, Mon – Fri. The owners may occasionally require assistance with feeding the cats some weekends when we are away.
A generous salary is provided with the vacancy along with a separate 2 bed furnished Cottage with own garden and garage plus all normal house bills e.g. energy, wifi and council tax bills are covered by the employer as well as the use of a car. An outdoor cat or small well-behaved dog would be considered but unfortunately the property is not suitable for dependents.
The owners are also open to the partner working in a part time role as housekeeper carrying out duties such as cleaning, some laundry and feeding the cats etc. Excellent terms for 3 or 4 days a week/ 6 hours per day could be discussed.
LOCATION: Chipping Ongar, Essex
SALARY: £35,000 plus accommodation
JOB No: EC61640
If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Sole Gardener vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Sole Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
