Pastures new (plus borders, beds, ponds, woodland, glasshouses, a charcoal kiln and some peacocks)

My last post, Heartfelt thanks to the HOPE Project, marked the end of my role at the Museum of Natural History in Oxford. This week, I started an exciting new position as Primary Education Officer at the amazing Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

Spring bulbs at the Botanic Garden

It’s one job at two incredible venues. The Botanic Garden is opposite Magdalene College, beside the River Cherwell in the heart of Oxford and Harcourt Arboretum lies a few miles outside the city. I have received a very warm welcome from my new colleagues (although the peafowl have regarded me with studied indifference so far) and I feel very privileged to have been given personal tours by Garden Curator Mark Brent and Harcourt Arboretum Curator Ben Jones. The spring bulbs are coming into flower and the trees look magnificently statuesque in the winter sunshine.

Winter sun filters between trees at the Arboretum

I’ll be working there Monday to Wednesday each week, sharing the scientific wonder and importance of plants, nature and green spaces with school groups, families and other audiences. One of the many attractions of the role for me was the focus on the positive role of nature in health and well-being and I look forward to helping develop this area of work.

Hamamelis flowers at Harcourt Arboretum

This new role fits neatly with my other part-time job as Education Officer at the wonderful Bodleian Libraries on Thursdays and Fridays. I’m really pleased that I can continue to share the exhibitions and collections with schools and families visiting the Weston Library.

If you’re in Oxford over the half term week, you might enjoy our events for families. Amazing Adaptations is on at the Garden all week and there are Signs of Spring family walks on Thursday 16 February. I’ll be running Photo Family Fun at the Weston library on that Thursday. Please say ‘hello’ if you see me!