Board Member Biography – Malcolm Dobson

What is your role at the Hidden Gardens? I have been a volunteer at the Gardens for 5 – 6 years. My main role in that time has been helping Paula Murdoch with the Grassroots group of volunteers, who met on Wednesdays. I am part of the group of ‘Voluntour Guides’ who give guided tours […]

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What is your role at the Hidden Gardens?

I have been a volunteer at the Gardens for 5 – 6 years. My main role in that time has been helping Paula Murdoch with the Grassroots group of volunteers, who met on Wednesdays.

I am part of the group of ‘Voluntour Guides’ who give guided tours to the gardens for individuals or groups.

I joined the Board in Spring 2016, and hope that my experience as a volunteer will help the board to support the valuable work the volunteers do.

 What is your role outside the Hidden Gardens?

Before I retired I was a librarian working in education (schools and colleges) and most recently in the health service. I am also interested in art, working mainly in ceramics, and have recently moved to a house with a garden so I’ve been spending a lot of time on that.

What are your special areas of interest?

Volunteering, garden management & design and art

Why do you like the Hidden Gardens?
What attracted you to the Hidden Gardens?

I like the Gardens for their beauty, the history of the site shown in the design, the variety of styles & environments, I like the fact that people can engage with the Gardens on a variety of levels – a place to relax, to connect with nature, to look at plants, to learn.

Board Member Biography – Lisa Sinclair

What is your role at The Hidden Gardens? I joined The Hidden Gardens Board in March this year. What is your role outside of The Hidden Gardens? I am an arts manager and dance artist, currently working with Scottish Ballet’s Education department. What are your special areas of interest? Community participation, learning and performing arts. […]

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What is your role at The Hidden Gardens?
I joined The Hidden Gardens Board in March this year.

What is your role outside of The Hidden Gardens?
I am an arts manager and dance artist, currently working with Scottish Ballet’s Education department.

What are your special areas of interest?
Community participation, learning and performing arts.

Why do you like The Hidden Gardens?/What attracted you to The Hidden Gardens?
Over the years The Hidden Gardens have been many things to me – an adventure playground to explore with my children; a picnic area; a meeting place; a calm and inspiring space in which to gather my thoughts. I am attracted to The Hidden Gardens because of its inclusivity and diversity, and would like to support its continued growth and development.

Board Member Biography – Dave Mitchell

What is your role at The Hidden Gardens? I joined The Hidden Gardens Trust in 2012. My background is in horticulture, concept design and interpretation, so I work with the Team especially Jean (Head Gardener) on planning the future of The Hidden Gardens. What is your role outside of The Hidden Gardens? After thirty years […]

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David Mitchell, Board Member of The Hidden Gardens Trust
David Mitchell, Board Member of The Hidden Gardens Trust

What is your role at The Hidden Gardens?
I joined The Hidden Gardens Trust in 2012. My background is in horticulture, concept design and interpretation, so I work with the Team especially Jean (Head Gardener) on planning the future of The Hidden Gardens.

What is your role outside of The Hidden Gardens?
After thirty years at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, mostly as a curator, I recently retired and became an Honorary Research Associate at the RBGE. I am also a Trustee of several other gardening charities including Scotlands Gardens.

What are your special areas of interest?
I’m interested in projects that inspire ‘A Sense of Wonder for the Land and its Future’, and am involved as a consultant in developing these across a variety of sectors.
I also have a keen interest in the Scots Language, and have been on a variety of radio programmes for the Scots Language Centre in Edinburgh.

Why do you like The Hidden Gardens?/What attracted you to The Hidden Gardens?
Simply social inclusion, the humanity and creativity, and the opportunity to put something back into the industry.