The Reader’s gardening group calls for more volunteers

The Reader would like to thank the incredible hard work, dedication and energy of its volunteer gardening group for transforming The Mansion House Garden and grounds in Calderstones Park over the last 18 months.

An entrepreneurial group of 13 devoted volunteer gardeners has not only worked to transform the gardens at The Reader’s home in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park but raised £6,000 to reinvest into further environmental improvements. 

The volunteer gardening group was launched in summer 2023 by Jane Davis MBE, the now retired founder of The Reader – the UK’s biggest Shared Reading organisation – to embark on a programme of green-fingered horticultural projects to spruce up the gardens and outdoor spaces surrounding the Grade II listed Georgian Mansion House, the charity’s home. 

Jane said: “We wanted to make The Reader’s garden as lovely as the Mansion House itself, and as there was no budget for that kind of thing, we set about raising the money we needed.

“Sustainable eco-friendly projects have ranged from clearing an overgrown area on the east side of the Theatre Garden to building a composting area, creating new borders and planting 100 literary inspired roses following generous donations, worth £2000, by world-famous rose breeding family firm, David Austin Roses. 

A special area - the Nellist Border - has also been created this year in remembrance of Brian Nellist MBE, Jane’s teacher and lifelong friend.  

“Brian was a generous supporter of The Reader from its very early days,” said Jane. “He donated money year-on-year that paid for scholarships for Reader staff to undertake the MA Reading in Practice and his enthusiastic, personal way of reading was a big inspiration to me when I founded the charity.  

“He loved books and people and gardens so after his death last year I thought people who knew him would like to contribute to a memorial for him and more than £1,500 has been donated by people he taught or read with.”  

Features include a stunning white cherry blossom tree, perennial plants and grasses and refurbished cast iron benches. 

Jane said: “The difference this group’s work makes to the gardens and grounds surrounding The Mansion House is absolutely fantastic! 

“We still need more hands to help and would love more people to join us. You don’t need to know anything about gardening, you’ll learn on the job, be with a very nice crowd of people, and at lunchtime we sit down to eat homemade soup and cake. 

“It’s wonderful being outside all day and though we work hard, it’s nice and relaxed - you can do as much or little as you like. It doesn’t have to be too physical either. There are lots of different jobs. 

“One member is a retired surgeon who sits and does cuttings in the greenhouse. Another member really enjoys turning the compost and Paula is brilliant at mowing the lawn.”  

The entrepreneurial, self-funding group has raised thousands of pounds to support their work through plant sales at The Reader and Makers Markets, as well as through donations and grants.  

And connecting back to her previous life as Founder of The Reader, Jane also offers Shared Reading courses online and at Calderstones, where the proceeds go directly to the Garden fund. 

Drop-in volunteer Gardening groups are held in The Mansion House Garden every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the year between 10am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome to join and no previous gardening knowledge is needed.  

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at The Reader can find out more here, chat to the gardening group volunteers on-site or enquire at The Mansion House Welcome Area reception desk.