Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM AK CD QSO PC

AnnualReport2015

It is a great honour to have become Chairman of Chelsea Physic Garden, following Sarah Troughton’s most distinguished decade. Much was accomplished that stands the Garden in very good stead and the Trustees remain determined to ensure that it will continue to be the most wonderful place for people to learn about plants.

2015 was the Garden’s first full year under Sue Medway’s able leadership and we are already starting to see the benefit of her new management structure and the new senior members of staff she has brought to the Garden.

I would like to welcome Colin Chisholm as a Trustee. He will be taking over as Treasurer when the admirable Donald Hearn retires at the end of 2016. On a more sombre note, we were greatly saddened by the deaths of Mark Flanagan and Lisa Jardine, both of whom were much valued Trustees.

While 2016 is Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, 2023 will see our own 350th and we are starting to think about what we would like to have achieved by then. Our ambition is for the Garden to have become an internationally recognised centre of excellence for learning about plants useful to humankind. We will have developed the potential for our unique living and non-living collections, such as the Library, to inspire and teach through better site interpretation, new learning facilities, resources, programmes and digital dissemination. We will also be reaching wider audiences through our historic themes of medicine, food and useful plants. And, last but by no means least, we aim to have secured the Garden’s long-term future. It’s going to be fun.

On behalf of the Trustees I would like to thank our Grandiflora Patrons, individual benefactors, our increasing number of Friends and the many Trusts and Foundations who donate funding to the Garden. Your support makes us what we are and will help us to become even better. I would also like to express our special thanks to Jane Cousins, her helpers and all the volunteers, as well as to all the staff who combine in such a committed way to make the Garden a magical and inspiring place for all our visitors.

Chairman’s Review

Chairman’s Review ...................1

Purpose ....................................2

Learning ....................................3

Partners & Collaborations .........4

Research ...................................4

Florilegium Society ...................4

Projects and Developments .....5

Projects and Plans for 2016 ......6

People .......................................7

Financial Report 2015 ...............7

Fundraising ...............................9

Grants, Donations and Legacies 2015 ..................10

Trustees, Directors, Committees and Staff ............11

Contents

Above from left: Michael Prideaux, Chair of Trustees; Colin Chisholm, Trustee; Sue Medway, Director. All portraits © Charlie Hopkinson.

Cover: Fortune’s Tank Pond. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 2, Scene 1

I’ll watch Titania when she is asleepAnd drop the liquor of it in her eyes;The next living thing then she waking looks upon(Be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull,On meddling monkey, or on busy ape),She shall pursue it with the soul of love.

Michael Prideaux, Chair of Trustees

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015 2

Sitting on the Thames Embankment, and sheltered by high walls, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest and well respected botanic gardens in Europe. It is the oldest in London, and only surpassed in age by Oxford Botanic Garden in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London for its apprentices to study medicinal plants and their uses, it became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world.

The Chelsea Physic Garden’s plant collection is unique because it is the only botanic garden collection focussed on medicinal, herbal and useful plants.

Today, as an independent charity, we rely on visitors, Friends and supporters to help protect and nurture the Garden for future generations.

The mission of Chelsea Physic Garden is to:• demonstrate the medicinal, economic, cultural and

environmental importance of plants to the survival and well-being of humankind

Chelsea Physic Garden carries out this Mission for the public benefit by:• providing programmes of educational activities,

publications and events

• maintaining documented plant collections in labelled and interpreted displays in a historic botanic garden

• demonstrating the development of the science and practice of horticulture, botany and related disciplines through the historical role of the Garden

• promoting the importance of the conservation of plants and the natural environment

Purpose

Above from top: Plant labels. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Steph, our longest serving horticultural volunteer. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Visitors enjoying the Garden. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

3 CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Overview2015 was a busy year for the Education Department. It continued to use “London’s Oldest Outdoor Classroom” as a cross-curricular resource in which to help inspire children and adults alike in understanding the importance of plants to humankind.

ActivitiesThe small team engaged with over 6,000 people on a myriad of topics. They increased the number of young people taking part on the Schools programme to 113 visits (101 in 2014).

Funding from The Tanner Trust was used to produce a new self-led Garden Trail, created for families visiting the Garden on public open days. Monthly Sunday ‘Fundays’ included nature-inspired art and popular pond ecology. The adult learning programme included new additions, willow weaving, nature-inspired jewellery, creative writing and bonsai as well as a series of summer evening talks about trees. Many of these workshops draw upon the skills of the Garden’s own staff in their delivery.

Outreach and Special ProjectsThis is made possible because of the generosity of the John Lyon’s Charity who have funded a two year outreach project, enabling delivery of activities on-and off-site simultaneously. In 2015 outreach quadrupled its activities with 59 (14 in 2014) off-site events including to a young offenders project, schools, colleges, science fairs, after-school clubs as well as evening lectures. In April, the Head of Education represented the Garden at the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) 9th Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens at Missouri Botanic Garden USA.

Learning at the Garden

Above from top: Children at the Pond. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Nature inspired Art. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Frog in Pond. Photographer unknown.

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 2015

Outreach 32%

Home educated 2%

State primary school 25%

Private primary school 14%

Secondary school 2%

Adult learning 11%

University 1%

Teacher training 1%

Family activity days 12%

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015 4

Chelsea Physic Garden collaborates with a number of leading botanical, horticultural and related organisations. These include Botanic Gardens Conservation International; PlantNetwork; the Botanic Gardens Education Network; Plant Heritage; the Ethnomedica Project; Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Royal Horticultural Society and the London Medical Museums Group. In Spring 2015, the Director and Curator joined the committee of London Gardens Network, an organisation that supports gardeners in London providing networking and training opportunities.

Research at the GardenThe Garden assists with environmental and botanical research in partnership with various institutions; these include providing plant material to the Natural History Museum’s fern and bluebell studies; Queen Mary University of London’s research on Welwitchia and Ephedra; the Lichen Society’s monitoring programme and weather data recording for the Meteorological Office. Current projects at the Garden include work on Atlantic Island species including Argyranthemum and Trochetiopsis ebenus. Support is also being provided for research into the migration of Solanaceae diseases from ornamental plants to commercial crops such as potatoes and tomatoes, along with a study focusing on bee hibernation and health. The Garden is also engaged in research in order to develop the ethno-medical plant collections on site.

Partners and Collaborations

Above from top: Bees. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Ephedra distachya. Artist Barbara McLean.

The Florilegium Society The Florilegium Society continues its work painting and drawing the plants grown at Chelsea Physic Garden, maintaining a tradition which dates back to the early 18th century. Since the inception of the Society, members have captured in minute detail examples of the living plant collection and they represent a unique collection of 692 works held in the archive. Andrew Brown’s second book, Botanical Illustration from Chelsea Physic Garden was published in 2015.

The 20th year of the Florilegium Society was celebrated with a major exhibition of paintings throughout August. The exhibition was generously funded by the Finnis Scott Foundation and attracted a record number of visitors. Members’ works of art were reproduced for sale in the shop as prints, as cards and also as a silk scarf.

Some of the Society’s founder members are involved in promoting botanical art nationwide, including submitting work and receiving medals at RHS shows and have work in the collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, part of the Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. In March 2015, the RHS awarded its prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal to Gillian Barlow, Vice Chairman and Keeper of the Society’s Archive. This award is granted for an outstanding contribution to advancement of the art, science or practice of horticulture.

In their anniversary year, the Society held a lunch for members at the Royal College of Physicians. Guests included Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE, Mrs Anne-Marie Evans MBE and Dr Henry Oakeley Garden Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

Distinguished speakers came to the monthly meetings of the Society, including Simon Toomer from Westonbirt Arboretum, Dr Brent Elliott, historian at the RHS, who talked about the collection at the Lindley Library and Dr Philip Cribb of Kew, chair of the judging panel which assesses the Society’s paintings.

5 CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015

World Woodland GardenOpening in April, this new garden displays a range of ethno-botanical plants from three regions of the world – Asia, Europe and North America. The plant collection includes edible, medicinal and useful plants which are naturally distributed in woodland.

Archive DigitisationFunding has enabled the Garden to purchase a high resolution scanner and start the process of scanning its archive; the first being a collection of letters, journals and records of Thomas Moore (Curator 1846-87). During 2016, volunteers from the Florilegium Society will also start the process of digitising the collection of original botanic art donated by them to the Garden over the last 20 years.

The Garden CompanionWritten by Nick Bailey Head Gardener with graphics by Pia Östlund, this in-house guide was ready for the beginning of the main season. With beautiful photography it is pocket-sized and designed to be a companion for both the interested amateur and those who want to know more about the collection.

The CaféThe Café has received a refresh; a larger food preparation area has been made, new equipment purchased and the seating area redecorated.

Sustainable PracticeThe Garden holds a Green Tourism Silver Award and seeks to follow best environmental and sustainable practice. The Garden’s composting and recycling operation is registered as exempt under the Environment Agency’s exempt waste operations scheme. Compost generated at the garden is a valuable source of soil improver used throughout.

Projects and Developments

Above from top: World Woodland Garden 2016. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Scanned archive piece from the Thomas Moore collection - Botanical Exam for Young Women.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015 6

GlasshousesA terrestrial planted area has been created in the South African Glasshouse with over 40 new plants introduced including representatives of the Proteaceae, Ericaceae and Restionaceae families along with species adapted to arid regions such as the Karoo Desert. Interpretation will focus on medicinally useful plants of the region along with information regarding the world smallest and most diverse flora kingdom which occurs in South Africa.

The GardenThe current poisonous plant collection is a popular attraction for visitors. For this reason the collection will be extended to include another 20 plants and updated interpretation.

“CPG - 350”To support preparations for the Garden’s 350th anniversary in 2023, our attention is turning to ensuring that full advantage is taken of the opportunity. The focus in 2016 will be to review the existing schools and adult education programmes, the future potential for learning and which aspect to prioritise. We will also be assessing the existing visitor facilities and looking at future needs.

Projects and Plans for 2016

Above from top: Intern working in the Garden. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

South African Glasshouse prior to replanting. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

7 CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015

StaffChanges to the staffing structure with the creation of a management team have brought some new appointments without increasing the overall headcount. Bob Peacock joined as Head of Operations, Suzanne Reid as Head of Marketing and Commercial, Lucy de Castro as Business Support Manager and Pat Howarth as Finance Manager. Nell Jones has been promoted to Deputy Head Gardener, while Lily Middleton has completed her Professional Certificate in Marketing and is now Marketing Officer. We welcomed back Lucy Rowley into the role of Gardener/Plant Records Manager (having been a horticultural trainee in 2013) and Tom McCarter joined the team from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew as Gardener/Glasshouse Manager.

Horticultural TraineesThe Garden offers two broad-ranging practical traineeships in botanical horticulture each year, for which we depend on the generous support of a number of trusts, foundations and individual donors. The 2015 trainees are Joe Bassett and Marcus Essack.

VolunteersChelsea Physic Garden benefits greatly from the efforts of our many volunteers. They are led by the Head of Volunteers, Jane Cousins, and supported by a small team who help co-ordinate the

People at the Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden relies on grants and donations, in addition to operating income from admissions, lettings, our Friends’ membership fees and retail income to sustain its needs and to fund its core activities.

Total income in 2015 of £1,416,799 was 3.3% more than 2014. Total expenditure has decreased slightly in 2015, down by 10% to £1,238,828. As a result the net surplus is an encouraging £199,220, compared with £153,090 in 2014. Trading activity including venue hire and external events have performed strongly and fundraising activity to support specific projects has also been successful. The Garden has been fortunate to receive a legacy donation of £10,000.

AdmissionsThe main season for visitors remains April to October when the Garden is open Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays. During the winter season which runs from November to March, Friends and paying visitors are welcome but currently the Café and Shop are not open. In 2015, total visitor numbers were 56,748 which is a 6.6% increase on 2014 (53,239). Paying admissions income was £193,817, a decrease of 9.7% compared to the previous year.

Friends of the GardenThe Friends’ membership scheme generates substantial funds without which the Garden could not continue its core educational and conservation activities. Our Friends support us further, in the shop, in the Café and by booking the Garden or one of the venue spaces for private functions. The total number of Friends rose from 6,687 in 2014 to 7,045, an increase of 5.3%.

Financial Report 2015

training of new Guides, organise the winter lectures and prepare the Guides’ rota. The Garden tour guides provide a much-valued service for visitors throughout the season and over 14,000 visitors joined one of the free tours this year.

Liz Thornton’s upkeep of the Library and Archive allows the Garden to satisfy numerous research queries. The Growing Friends group, propagating plants for sale and coordinating sales and displays for special events such as the Christmas Fair and the annual Snowdrop Days, goes from strength to strength under Charlotte Partridge. The production of the annual Index Seminum, the International Botanic Gardens seed exchange programme, rests with a small team of volunteers led by Nell Jones.

2015 was another successful year for the Christmas Fair ably organised by Emmanuelle Bergne and Christine Eysenck. Volunteers also do valuable work as ambassadors for the Garden, in particular Christine Hodgson, who regularly gives talks about the Garden. Our Volunteer beekeeper, Peter James, continues to manage the Garden’s beehives.

The Garden is fortunate to have been funded to be able to accept short term volunteer and intern placements.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015 8

Financial Report continued

Book & Gift ShopShop sales turnover in 2015 was £184,825, a modest increase of 1.8% on 2014. A new publication for 2015 was a pocket-sized full-colour Companion to the Garden, priced at £5. The shop continues to develop branded products and supported the Florilegium Society’s 20th anniversary. A new range this year was the Garden’s own range of pickles and chutneys, including Banks’ Spicy Gooseberry & Coriander Chutney and Fortune’s Sweet Garlic Pickle. Plants propagated by the Growing Friends are much sought after, notably those from the Garden’s stock plants and seeds specifically labelled to indicate their provenance.

Garden LettingsVenue hire continues to be one of the Garden’s most significant income streams. Income from lettings and related commissions was £344,120 (£299,714 in 2014) an increase of 14.8%. The Garden remains closed to visitors on a Saturday in order to satisfy the demand for private hire.

CateringTangerine Dream Café continues to provide a popular service to visitors, making a worthwhile contribution to the overall experience for visitors and income to the Garden.

Opposite from left: Joe Bassett, Horticultural Trainee; Marcus Essack, Horticultural Trainee; Nell Jones, Deputy Head Gardener. All portraits © Charlie Hopkinson.

Left: Summer Wedding Marquee. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

TOTAL INCOME £1,416,799

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £1,238,828

Gift Aid £77,446

Education Activities £51,611

Investments £76,906

Restricted Donations £86,667

Grants & Donations £79,437

Friends’ Subscriptions £228,202

Fundraising & Hospitality £40,184

Horticulture costs & Premises £64,821

Special Projects £1,560

Marketing £38,258Shop £90,129

Visitor Admissions £193,817

Lettings & Commissions

£344,120

Governance, Professional, Legal

£153,204

Administration £240,592

Education £74,880

Shop £184,825

Staff Costs

£535,200

Fundraising Events £93,768

9 CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Fundraising to support Education and LearningEducation is core to the Garden’s charitable mission and its vision for the future. The Garden offers education, training and support to schoolchildren, adults, trainees, interns and volunteers through its broader education programme. Over eighty volunteers support every aspect of activity throughout the Garden including administration, gardening, and as guides and educators. Without that voluntary support the experience for visitors would arguably be diminished. In return for the gift of time, volunteers have an opportunity to learn new skills, or to continue to use their professional know-how in one of the most beautiful gardens and the oldest botanical garden in London.

The Garden aims to welcome as many as ten interns onto the education programme. Many are European applicants, studying a relevant subject at university or college. Also offered are two comprehensive year-long horticultural traineeships. All costs for this programme are raised directly. We are delighted that once again the Eranda Foundation agreed to sponsor the full cost of one horticultural trainee. Generous donations to support the training programme were received from The Mercers’ Company, Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust and the Tanner Trust.

Fundraising at the Garden

Fundraising to support Garden projectsFollowing successful fundraising in 2014, the World Woodland project started in November ready for unveiling in Spring. We are grateful to a number of individuals and Trusts and Foundations including the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust for supporting this project.

Priority funding project 2015The fundraising project for 2015 was the Thomas Moore Cool Fernery. Our main contributors were the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust, The Cadogan Charity and our major supporter Dr M. Schoernig.

The Garden Library and archive is undertaking a long term programme to further protect its collection of books and papers that form some of the history of the Garden with the eventual aim of making the collection available digitally. With a generous donation we were able to purchase a scanner. The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries generously supported a joint project to digitise a collection of letters, journals and notes of Thomas Moore, Curator of the Garden between 1846 and 1887.

This vital work would not be undertaken without the generous support of our Friends, supporters and the many trusts and foundations who donate funding to us for which we thank them all.

The Garden continues to see an increase in the number of legacies and legacy pledges. This generosity will help us to secure the Garden’s future for generations to come.

Above from top: Cool Fernery. Photo © Charlie Hopkinson.

Close up of Cool Fernery showing damp. Photo © Cornisbee.

Opposite: Eryngium gouan. Artist Gillian Barlow.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT 2015 10

Grants, Donations and Legacies 2015Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM AK CD QSO PC

General DonationsChelsea Physic Garden GrandifloraPatrons

Horticultural Trainees & ResearchEranda FoundationErnest Cook Trust Finnis Scott Foundation The MacRobert TrustLord Leverhulme’s Charitable TrustJohn R Murray Charitable TrustThe Worshipful Society of

Apothecaries

HorticultureStanley Smith (UK) Horticultural

TrustThe Worshipful Company of

Mercers J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable TrustDr M. SchoernigThornton Charitable TrustPamela Matthews Charitable Trust Cadogan Estate The Lord Faringdon Charitable Trust

EducationJohn Lyon’s CharityThe Tanner Trust

LegaciesDr Una Brass deceased

Many others gave donations and wish to remain anonymous. We thank them all.

Grandiflora PatronsMrs Catherine ArmitageMr Lawrence Banks CBE VMH DLMr James BartosLady BenyonMrs Jean BottsMr & Mrs P H G CadburyEarl & Countess CadoganMrs Rosemary Campbell-Preston Mrs Karyn Daysh Mr Damon & The Hon Mrs Sandra

de Laszlo Ms Liz Earle Prof Dianne Edwards Viscount EsherMrs Ernestine Fiertz Lady GettyThe Hon. William & Mrs GibsonMr Peter Gregory Mr Loyd Grossman OBE FSA Mr David & Mrs Claudia HardingLord & Lady Heseltine Lady Julia Hiscox Mrs Lois HuntLady Jacomb Mr Hugh & Mrs Judith JohnsonSir Henry & Lady KeswickMr H & Mrs Emmanuelle LepicMr Alex LifschutzLady Amabel LindsayMrs Fevronia MicklethwaitThe Hon Lady MorrisonMrs Laetitia OppenheimDr Clive PotterMr Michael & Mrs Sue PrideauxDr Martin SchoernigMrs Erica SimonisMr Peter Stormonth DarlingSir John Swire CBE DLMr Mark & Lady Harriot TennantMrs Sarah Troughton LLMrs Gerald WardMs Susan WardMrs Lesley Watson & Mr Dougal

PhilipLady Sarah Wright

And other patrons who wish to remain anonymous

Management CouncilColin Chisholm (appointed 17 November 2015)

Mark Flanagan – died October 2015 (Chairman of Advisory

Committee)

Donald Hearn FCA (Hon. Treasurer & Chairman of Executive

Committee)

Sukie HemmingProf Lisa Jardine CBE – died October 2015

Patricia LankesterLady Arabella Lennox-Boyd Michael McGonigle Michael Prideaux (Chairman)

Sarah SpellerCompany Secretary: Sue Medway

Executive CommitteeDonald Hearn FCA (Chairman & Hon. Treasurer)

Will KenneyCllr Emma Will (Royal Borough of Kensington and

Chelsea)Jill Preston (Chairman of CPG Enterprises Ltd)

Michael Prideaux (Chairman of Management Council)

Sarah Speller

Directors CPG Enterprises LtdBelinda GoodingPaul GrayDonald Hearn FCA (Hon. Treasurer & Chairman of Executive

Committee)

Margo MarroneJill Preston (Chairman)

Michael PrideauxCompany Secretary: Sue Medway

Advisory CommitteeJane Cousins (Head of Volunteers)

Dr Tim Cutler (Royal College of Physicians)

Mark Flanagan (Chairman) died October 2015

Prof Mary Gibby OBE (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh)

Cllr Emma Will (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea)

Prof Peter Hylands FRS (Royal Pharmaceutical Society)

Dr Paul Knapman (Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of

London)

Sally Petitt (Cambridge University Botanic Gardens)

Michael Prideaux (Chair of Management Council)

Dr Ruth Taylor (Education Consultant)

Dr Mark Spencer (Natural History Museum)

StaffDirector and Curator: Sue Medway Head of Operations: Bob PeacockHead of Marketing & Commercial: Suzanne ReidFinance Manager: Pat HowarthRetail Manager: Linda Forrest Business Support Manager: Lucy de Castro

Membership & Records Coordinator: Gill DisleyMarketing Officer: Lily MiddletonFacilities & Reception Assistant: Cerstin MarykFinance & Retail Assistant: Georgie SoanesCustomer Services/Kiosk: Ramsey MeetookChristmas Fair Coordinator: Emmanuelle Bergne

Head Gardener: Nick BaileyDeputy Head Gardener: Nell JonesGardener & Glasshouse Manager: Kate Wilkinson then

Tom McCarter Gardener & Volunteer Manager: Emma ReeceGardener & Plant Records Officer: Tom Wells then

Lucy RowleyHorticultural Trainees: Joe Bassett and Marcus EssackPlant Database Assistant: Jill Wilson

Head of Education: Michael HollandEducation & Outreach Officer: Olivia Paterson

Freelance ConsultantsConsultant Taxonomist: Susyn AndrewsGraphic Designer: Pia ÖstlundTrust & Individual Fundraiser: Philomena RobsonHR Consultant: Jackie HammondProject Development: Peter Pearce

The contribution to Chelsea Physic Garden by its volunteers is immense. Their active support is greatly appreciated by the Trustees and staff.

Trustees, Directors, Committees and Staff 2015

Limited Company registered in England Number 1690871 Registered Charity Number 286513

Chelsea Physic Garden66 Royal Hospital RoadLondon SW3 4HSwww.chelseaphysicgarden.co.ukTelephone +44 (0)20 7352 5646