Description
THIS ROLE HAS NOW BEEN OFFERED VIA DOMESTIC BLISS
A beautiful Estate near Ludlow in Shropshire has a vacancy for a live in Gardener
This post is offered as a live in for an experienced Gardener full time, and permanent. Location – Shropshire, Ludlow approximately 9 miles. Additionally responsible for security. To start as soon as possible.
Remuneration, salary, £28-35K depending on qualifications and experience. The accommodation provided is a separate 2-bedroom coach house with 1 reception room, kitchen and bathroom. Council tax and utility bills are covered by the employer.
Hours are flexible, generally 8am-5pm Saturday-Wednesday with an hour for lunch and 15-minute breaks morning and afternoon. In addition to statutory bank holidays the employee will receive 20 days annual leave.
The house is a Grade II* country residence dating originally from the 16th century with later additions. It is in an AONB with magnificent views, has 9 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms and is set in grounds of approximately 14 acres. Additionally, there are extensive barns, stores and outbuildings. The gardens include lawns, herbaceous borders, perennial beds, vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, a small woodland and orchard.
Principals (part time in residence) are a relaxed semi-retired couple with 3 adult children each with their own families. Friendly dogs sometimes accompany their owners.
Requirements The candidate must have at least 3 years horticultural experience and preferably hold appropriate/relevant academic qualifications. The hands-on experience can be in private or public gardens and the person should have a comprehensive knowledge of a range of garden plants and their maintenance. The applicant should be a self-motivated individual with the ability to work on their own using their initiative. They should have an eye for detail, work to a consistently high standard have a strong work ethic, and be flexible and proactive. Experience with tractors and other garden machinery would be useful. The individual should be a good communicator and have a sense of humour. Discretion and confidentiality are essential and there should be good checkable references.
Main responsibilities. General garden maintenance, including weeding, hoeing, clearing. Planting summer and winter flower beds (cut flowers for the house). Plant and maintain organic vegetable garden. Propagate plants, pruning. The appointee will be living on site and they are required to guarantee the security surveillance and coverage of the house and grounds. Currently there are 2 beehives, and it is hoped that the gardener will take charge of these (training will be provided if needed).
The successful candidate will report to and work closely with the estate manager. This is a physically demanding position requiring a fit and energetic person, comfortable working in all weathers.
Additional information. A building project to include the construction of a swimming pool and gym starting summer 2023 is likely to take about 2 years. After its completion there will be extensive work carried out in the garden to a design overseen by a “Chelsea” multi award winner. It is hoped the appointed gardener will be directly involved in the implementation of the scheme and with its development and maintenance thereafter.