ABOUT US

Tamsin Westhorpe, Hon. President

With over 25 years experience in the horticultural industry, Tamsin has plenty of practical hands on advice to share. Her career has seen her edit The English Garden magazine, write scripts for gardening TV shows, lecture at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset and care for parks and gardens. She is now a freelance writer, and curator and gardener of Stockton Bury Gardens, Herefordshire. Tamsin is also an RHS Chelsea Flower Show Judge and an acclaimed gardening author. She is a prolific speaker and tutor experienced in working with large audiences in all sorts of environments. She has spoken at schools and colleges to encourage careers in journalism and horticulture.

Julian Reeves, Charity Manager

After working in Public Health for 15 years, Julian moved into charity management, initially setting up Herefordshire Heartstart, and then managing the local blind association. In 2015, he was appointed as charity manager of Herefordshire Growing Point. He has horticultural qualifications from the RHS and a level 4 Diploma in Horticulture and Garden Design from Pershore College.

Julian passionately believes that being in touch with plants, the soil and nature, is hugely beneficial to those who would otherwise be unable to access them. 

Laura Hone,
Chair

Laura used to work in London in executive search, specialising in the voluntary sector. Following a move to Herefordshire, she joined Herefordshire Growing Point as a volunteer, then became a Trustee before eventually being elected Chairman. She is a keen gardener and has learnt a great deal since becoming involved with Herefordshire Growing Point; particularly seeing at first hand the considerable benefits of horticultural therapy. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Barrs Court SEND School.

Andrew Huntley,
Trustee and Treasurer

Andrew has a background in commercial horticulture, having run a garden plant nursery. During that time, he designed two mazes, one in Herefordshire and the other in Scotland (which he hopes will outlast him for many years). He worked as a tutor at Growing Point, before becoming Treasurer in 2005.

Julie Cohn,
Trustee

Julie is a retired Hospital Pharmacist. She loves all things gardening and did a Certificate of Higher Education in Horticultural Studies with the University of Birmingham based at Holme Lacy College a number of years ago, her favourite essay being “Slugging the Slugs” unfortunately she still battles with them in her garden!

She is a also a Trustee of Yeleni Therapy and Support, supporting people with cancer and is Chair of Governors at Barrs Court School for children with special needs.

Mary Knight,
Trustee

Mary is a trained nurse and became involved with Herefordshire Growing Point following the completion of a City and Guilds Course in Gardening. She was a tutor for a short while before becoming a Trustee.

She also has experience in looking after people with mental heath problems, and fully understands what an important part horticultural therapy can play in improving mental health.

Lady Caroline Lechmere,
Trustee

Having read geology at university, Caroline briefly worked in the oil industry before moving to the City to work in private client stockbroking. She came to Worcestershire with her husband and family in 1995. She helped to found a local NSPCC committee in 1999, eventually becoming Worcestershire Branch Chairman, and is still very much involved with the charity. Caroline was asked to join Herefordshire Growing Point as a volunteer, becoming a trustee having seen what a worthwhile charity it is and how beneficial gardening therapy can be.

Jo Rigney,
Senior Tutor

Jo set up a company in 1995, specialising in the renovation of period properties. Spending most of her working day inside in dusty environments, she began to develop a love of horticulture and spending time in her garden. In 2014, Jo was invited to help out with sessions at HGP, and then became a regular volunteer and tutor.

She completed Thrive’s “Introduction to Social and Therapeutic Horticulture practice” course at The Martineau Gardens in Birmingham in January 2015 and more recently, she has gained a level 3 award in Counselling skills.

Since moving to our new base at Headway House in Credenhill, Jo has become Senior Tutor. She is also helping to develop the garden with the rest of the team, and expand HGP’s work on horticultural therapy outcomes. Jo is also the charity’s social media coordinator. 

Kate Barrett,

Tutor

Kate joined Growing Point as a Tutor in April 2024 after relocating to the area from the South Coast.

Her first career was as a Primary School Music Teacher and she enjoyed growing food and flowers on her allotment in her spare time. She re-trained in Social, Therapeutic Horticulture whilst volunteering at Tuppenny Barn in West Sussex, gaining Thrive’s Award in Social, Therapeutic Horticulture qualification in 2023. She is also trained as a Therapeutic Mentor for children and young people who have experienced trauma.

Carlie Nicholas,

Tutor

Having studied illustration at Herefordshire art college, Carlie moved back to her family in the New forest and began working as an activities organiser in a wonderful home, bringing her creativity to the table. After 5 happy years, she moved on to set up and manage an activities department in a new home in Ascot. 

Now living in Herefordshire with her family, Carlie is happy to be back in the environment she loves best, spending time with residents, enabling them to continue their love for the garden. In her spare time she enjoys creating needle felt artwork and taking part in craft fairs . You will also find her running around after her two little girls, two ponies and two very cheeky dachshunds! 

Ursula Ashworth,
Tutor

Ursula is a trained florist who worked in Switzerland and then England before re-qualifying as a teacher in the life long learning sector. She has been an activity champion in residential settings for the last 20 years. In 2009, she became a Growing Point tutor, and now runs outreach horticulture therapy sessions in various sites around the county. A passionate gardener, she enjoys connecting clients with the seasons and bringing the colours, scent, and power of nature in touching proximity, especially for those who are unable to be outside. Ursula is also a volunteer for Malvern Hills Repair Café.