Meet The Volunteers.

 

Pete Welsby

Chair and Trustee of the Oldway Gardens Group

After gaining a B.A in economics and post graduate certificate of education from Nottingham University, I went on to have 41 fantastic years in education. Initially as an economics teacher then a manager in an inner city sixth form college that merged with one of the largest FE colleges in the country.

After having been pinned down in far too many education meetings, it is a joy in retirement to have an outside role, and it is a pleasure to be associated and contribute to such a wonderful group of keen and committed people as the Oldway Garden Volunteers. As a trustee and Chairperson, my vision is to spread the message of how important the Oldway Gardens Group and its volunteers are to the task of saving the grounds. It is far too easy for people to take such a talented group for granted, because, rightly or wrongly, they just do the work, no fuss, and no drama.

Tim Eley

President and Trustee of the Oldway Gardeners Group which I started in September 2019.

Having decided at an early age that I wanted to work for myself I decided to take an HND in Hotel Management and Tourism which gave me a very good grounding in many fields.

Since I was 10 my hobby has been growing plants and even now some 60 years later my love for it is still as strong.

Whilst at college I started my first nursery business. I funded it by working in the evenings at the Waterman’s Arms at Bowbridge which enabled me to work during the day on the plants. I ran this business for almost 40 years starting from scratch and ending up receiving 30,000 microprop plants from China every 6 weeks.

For 27 years I also owned and ran the Torbay Garden Centre on the Ring Road in Paignton.

I was involved with Torbay in Bloom for many years first as a judge, then as a sponsor and the year the council pulled out I ran the whole presentation at Oldway. In more recent times I have been chair of the Babbacombe Bay Bloomers and vice chair of the Torbay Greenspace Forum.

Just over 4 years ago I started the Sustainable Plant Project to trial plants to find plants that are sustainable and have long flowering periods and that are suitable to adapt to climate change.

I am a Royal Horticultural Society South West in Bloom judge and have for many years co-ordinated the four Torbay Town main entries into the Britain in Bloom SW competition resulting in many Gold Awards for each of our towns.

I became involved at Oldway when I was asked by the council to start up a volunteer group to look after the gardens at Oldway and the Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group was established in September 2019.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength and with the love, passion and commitment of it’s many talented volunteers it has a lot further to go.

 

Jo Jones

I am the Secretary and Trustee of the Oldway Gardens Group

I have almost 20 years experience in the finance industry with a major bank and have the ability to form professional customer and co worker relationships, communicating effectively and consistently. I have a proven history of actively supporting communities, with a role as a school governor and Chair of the Parent Council of schools and Pre-School Groups.

I consider it a great privilege to be involved with this important local landmark as the Secretary of the Oldway Gardens Group and now as a Trustee of the registered charity.

I have a keen interest in horticulture as well as dog walking and regard Oldway and it’s grounds as a special place for relaxation and contemplation.

Oldway holds the hearts of many local people as well as folk around the world and I believe it is a place which should be treasured and respected. The historical value to Paignton, Torbay and worldwide should not be underestimated: The Singer Family history is fascinating. 

 

Pauline Baker

Assistant Secretary and Trustee of Oldway Gardens Group

Pauline joined the Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group at the end of the second lockdown – July 2021. She is retired and loves being outdoors. She initially started helping on the plant stall and soon after became involved with the tea hut.  She now co ordinates all the activities at the tea hut as well as the introduction of children’s trails around the grounds.

The trails have been very successful, not only raising money for the Oldway Gardens volunteer group, but also encouraging families to come and explore the beautiful grounds.

Pauline has bee instrumental in securing a new hut together with electrical installation and a much needed defibrillator available 24/7 located next to the tennis courts.

Pauline is a Trustee of the Oldway Gardens Charity and Assistant Secretary of the group. Her husband Andy also volunteers at Oldway and is a great asset to the team. She says “we are so pleased we joined in 2021 and are now part of this remarkable, friendly group of volunteers, who give so much, so everyone can enjoy the grounds.”

 

Sue Saunders

I am the Treasurer and Trustee of the Oldway Gardens Group.

I’m a fully qualified, professional West Country tourist guide, member of The Institute of Tourist Guides, The British Guild of Tour Guides, and The Association of West Country Tourist Guides. I have an honours degree in tourism and a PostGraduate Certificate of Education in Tourism and Business. I am a CIEH and IOSH qualified trainer in Health and Safety. I have worked in banking and several different government departments, including the Inland Revenue; as well as teaching tourism in colleges and business studies in the three local prisons. I have been on the executive committees of the Torquay and Paignton, Chambers of Commerce. I have particular skills in finance and in understanding and completing forms and applications that many have a fear of even reading.

For twenty years I managed a seasonal English language school, using rooms in Oldway mansion as some of my classrooms. I also guided groups within the mansion during the 1990’s along with other qualified guides, when it was part of the daily life of Oldway. I live very close to the mansion and walk my dog there daily.

I love the gardens and the buildings, particularly the Rotunda, and the Singer history fascinates me, which is why I offered my skills to the Oldway Garden Group as a volunteer.

I freelance for three of the major companies that arrange the guided tours off the cruise ships that visit ports in Devon and Cornwall, as well as guiding and courier work for several coach companies that bring visitors to Torbay. This year has been a bumper one for Staycations, and I have been promoting the Oldway estate to all of them, with the hope of guiding future visitors, not just within the gardens, but the inside of the mansion, along with telling the history.

It is my hope that as a trustee of our charity, I can help further the work that we have been doing by helping to raise funds to really make things happen at Oldway.

 
 
 

Terry

Hi my name is Terry, I became one of the very first volunteers as a call for help fitted in nicely with moving to the area and I needed a way to join in the local community. I love every minute of the hard work it takes to keep Oldway looking great, it keeps me fit. I'm often found in the pond or up the rockery, finding painted pebbles and once a beautiful star. I never thought I'd be working in all weathers, all year round in such a lovely garden as I've mainly worked with children and home educated my son. I’ve got to know a great bunch of people during my time here and I'm slowly learn plant name too....although dont test me on that !

 

Graham and Gillian

Hello everyone, we are Gill and Graham Brough and we are volunteers for the Oldway garden group, we work operating the tea hut. All the profit made from sales goes towards the purchase of plants and equipment to further enhance the grounds of Oldway, we really look forward to meeting you all for refreshments during your strolls at Oldway.

 

Tony

Hi, I’m Tony, 82 years old.

I joined the Oldway’s Garden Volunteers after moving here from Cornwall a while ago.

While in Cornwall I did 15 years volunteer work on the National Nature Reserve on the Lizard which I loved.

I am enjoying making a difference in Oldway gardens mainly on the rockery, grotto and pond area.

It's always good to have a chat with members of the public and have compliments on our work.

 

Barry and Jeane

Barry and I first volunteered in the summer of 2020. It really is so satisfying to know we are helping to get Oldway Mansion and the gardens back to its beautiful self. We love meeting the visitors who so enjoy the wonderful surroundings. It’s a pleasure to give some of our spare time to such a worthy cause.

 

My name is Pete.

I joined the Oldway Gardening Group 3 years ago after a few years of retirement from work.

I joined because of my interest in Oldway. I got married there in 1978 and have many memories of functions in the ballroom, also walks and picnics within the grounds. My children and grandchildren have enjoyed many happy hours playing tennis and are now using the newly renovated courts.

I mainly spend my time in the gardener’s yard where I maintain the lawnmower’s and other equipment.

We have a great group of volunteers who are all interested in the gardens and enjoy the upkeep of the gardens for the public.

 

 

Hello I’m Sally and I joined the Oldway Garden Volunteers group about 2 years ago.

They are great to work with and we enjoy a chat (plus tea and cakes !) after our work.

I like the fact that I can do many different types of gardening, from planting to weeding and clearing undergrowth and hedges. 

It does make a difference and I know the public appreciate our efforts.

 

Hi I’m Roger.  I have been  a volunteer at Oldway for 3 and a half years. I’ve always been interested in gardening, and I’ve been doing work in different part of  Oldway gardens, edging borders keeping them nice and tidy. All the volunteers are great company and we are enjoying what we do to make  Oldway gardens look good. Cheers all.

 

I’ve been volunteering at Oldway for a year and half now, helping out in the gardens and sometimes on the plant stall.

I always enjoy coming down to Oldway. It’s such a beautiful place with a great group of volunteers and plenty of time for tea, cake and chat at the end of a morning working in the gardens.

 

I have been Volunteering at Oldway Gardens for 3 years now. I always enjoy it  and work with a lovely group doing all sorts of jobs!  My friend and I work in the Rose Garden. We meet members of the public for a good chat and have got to know lots of dogs loving their walks! It has a tranquil atmosphere and a beautiful place to spend a few hours!

Jenny