When Mark set out on his illustrious career, after studying an apprenticeship at Mustins nursery in Shirley followed by a Horticultural Diploma from Wisbech in Norfolk, he was the only full time member of staff caring for the gardens at Baddesley. Around twenty years ago he recruited his first volunteer gardener and the team continued to grow to around 40 staff and volunteers by the time he took up his role as Area Ranger.
During Mark’s three decades at Baddesley he has been responsible for huge changes to the gardens, many of which visitors continue to enjoy today. The peaceful lakeside walk was installed which included re-setting pathways and putting weirs and sluices in the lake. Flower beds were later introduced into the walled garden, including the stunning dahlia border, and the vegetable garden became a fruitful enterprise, providing the restaurant with home grown produce for years.