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Nostell’s Kitchen Garden is growing with helping hands from Wakefield College

Monday, 8 April, 2019

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Foundation Learning

Thomas and Mark with the planted pear trees. (Photo credit to Paul C Dunn)

Nostell’s orchard is growing with ten new pear tree varieties planted on 1st April by a team member who has gained a role at the National Trust property through a Wakefield College placement.

The heritage pear trees have been carefully selected by gardener Mark Westmoreland to expand the existing apple orchard and planted with the help of Thomas Adamson. Thomas joined the Nostell team through the Get Supported Employment training (SET) programme at Wakefield College, designed to help students who need support at College to gain paid employment after they leave.

Thomas is currently volunteering at Nostell as part of the scheme and has been assisting in the garden for 8 weeks, gaining experience in garden maintenance and working as part of a team. Thomas said, “I really like being outdoors and my favourite task in the garden is lawn edging. It’s been fun planting the trees and I can’t wait to taste the pears when they start to grow.”

Once the trees bear fruit, the harvest will be used in tasty crumbles and cakes on the café menu. Thomas follows in the footsteps of Thomas Raddings who gained employment in Nostell’s café in the summer of 2018, having successfully completed a supported Get SET work placement there.

The Kitchen Garden at Nostell has been under development since 2009, with Mark taking the reins of managing and developing it in 2012. A policy of growing heritage varieties where practical has been the theme for the plants chosen. A wide range of fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown and used in the café, providing a mix of seasonal colour and scent for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.

Mark said, “It’s fantastic to have both Thomas involved in the development of the Kitchen Garden as it grows. The new pear trees are a great example of our commitment to not only evolving this space through its variety of produce and horticultural design but remaining true to Nostell’s historic roots.”

Deborah Ryder, Get SET Assistant Job Coach said, “It’s brilliant that the National Trust and Wakefield College can work together in partnership through the Get SET programme so that students such as Thomas and Thomas can not only gain valuable experience to help them into employment but be part of shaping the future of one of Wakefield’s historic treasures.”