Andy started his horticultural journey over 25 years ago, after completing his BSc in Horticulture at Bath University. Rachael, following a career as an aerial artiste, completed an Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture and Garden Design. Their paths met when they both worked in senior roles at Askham Bryan College, Andy as Head of Horticulture and Rachael as Apprenticeship Course Manager.
They now share the running of the plant centre with Andy taking primary responsibility for the Landscaping side of the business. He has a hands-on and practical approach to both the practice and teaching of landscaping and has undertaken many projects locally both large and small scale. He also used to teach students taking their RHS Masters Qualification. Rachael has designed numerous outdoor spaces and at Wykeham focuses on garden design, plant propagation and sales.
In recent years Andy and Rachael have been lucky enough to work with some great staff. Currently there are three additional members of the Wykeham team. Reuben, who has just finished his apprenticeship in Horticulture with us – he works on the landscaping side of the business and assists at the nursery with propagation and sales alongside Maz, who works part-time in all aspects of nursery work.
Recently joined is Caroline. “I’m happy to be joining the team at Wykeham, moving from laptop based work (as an advocate) to having my hands in the soil and learning more about growing. I enjoy sewing seeds early in the season in my south facing window and harvesting home grown veg a few months later. I love pootling in the greenhouse and tending to my house plants. I’ve WOOFED (worked on organic farms) in Australia and the UK, which involved everything from weeding or milking goats to working the land on a tractor!”
Last, but not least, is our Spaniel Max, who is full-time and works front of house as our meet and greet ambassador for everyone who comes to visit.
Wykeham Gardens is situated at The Fold in Bransford. It provides the perfect setting for the Plant Centre and has ample parking for visitors.
The Fold Café serves a vegetarian menu using fresh organic produce grown right here on the Community Farm.
Our garden design and landscaping service is offered to both private and commercial clients. Over the past 10 years we have undertaken a wide range of projects from large garden design and complete makeovers to small scale path and bed installations.
