Sole Gardener
Sole Gardener required
A fantastic lifestyle opportunity has arisen near Bramley in Surrey, for a skilled and creative gardener to join a welcoming family on their estate on a live-in basis, and to help with the ongoing development of their garden. This role would suit well-rounded estate gardener with strong horticultural knowledge and associated academic qualifications. The full-time permanent position is offered with a generous salary and a spacious one-bedroom flat on site. A full and cleared criminal background check (DBS/CRB) is required of all applicants.
The property is situated in an idyllic valley in the Surrey Hills and comprises approximately 20-acres overall, inclusive of surrounding fields and woodland. The family took ownership of the former equine estate less than two years ago and are gradually working towards developing a varied and beautiful garden. The successful applicant will therefore play a key part in the owners’ desire to undertake a new project each year, with their creative flare and horticultural experience being drawn upon at every opportunity.
The gardens are at various stages of development in terms of planting and design, though large areas are complete and include mixed beds/borders, shrubberies, specimen trees, an orchard with approximately 50 fruit trees, a formal kitchen garden, wild flower meadow areas, a pond with approximately 50 fish as well as waterlilies and surrounding planting, and a swimming pool within a walled garden. The gardens are framed by native mature woodland which play host to three rare breed pigs, with one section having been recently cleared and planted with various species including 400 foxgloves. The fields are grazed by sheep, and large trees will be planted in the fields in the near future. A local Bee expert looks after six hives within an acre of borage. Machinery on site consists of a 3-tonne digger, a tracked dumper, quad bike, a large ride-on mower, trailers and a range of hand-held garden machinery and tools. The Sole Gardener will have use of a Land Rover Defender where the need arises and as such, a full driving licence is essential.
Applicants for this role should hold an academic horticultural qualification, ideally at Level 3 or above, with strong plant knowledge and several years’ experience in gardening positions of responsibility on diverse private estates. Physical fitness and a genuine ‘can-do’ attitude are required alongside competence with general garden machinery. Experience with chainsaws and chemical spray applicators is desired, though otherwise suitable applicants will not be discounted. The garden is largely run organically so candidates must have an understanding of organic plant pest and disease management methodologies. This role offers an opportunity to showcase creative skill and as such, those with a keen eye for plant use and garden design are encouraged to apply.
As this is a live-in Sole Gardener role on a diverse and developing estate, the successful applicant will be asked to remain on site when the family are on holiday in order to provide general security for the property. Other non-horticultural duties include assisting the owner with moving logs/firewood, checking the Chlorine levels in the pool once per week and the occasional airport drop-off (approximately four times per year).
This role is offered with a spacious one-bedroom flat located within the property and separate from the main house. The property would suit a single person or couple but is unfortunately not suitable to accommodate children. Pets will be considered within reason. The flat is approximately 600m2 and will be refurbished in time for the new gardener to commence work. The flat is an old oak barn with expansive views along the valley in which the estate sits. All bills are covered by the employer, including a 500mbps internet connection and VOIP telephone, all utilities, rent and Council tax. The flat has no garden of its own but the owner is happy to allocate a portion of the field so that the successful applicant can create their own outdoor space if desired.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled, qualified and well-rounded estate gardener to take on a new and ongoing project on a stunning private estate alongside a very welcoming and creative family. A full and cleared criminal background check is required of all applicants.
SALARY: £25,000 – £30,000 DOE
LOCATION: Bramley, Surrey
JOB No: EC14322
If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read 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.
