Weekly Meeting - The Butterfly Garden (Chris Evans)

The Butterfly Garden - Chris Evans

Chris Evans is a committed exceptionally keen gardener and has an enthusiasm for life which is probably unique. Dundry Nurseries is in Bamfurlong Lane and was started by his grandfather in 1947. This man had a strong forceful character, had flown Sopwith Camels, the 1st World War fighter, for the Royal Air Force, rising to Squadron Leader in World War ll. This gentleman had a strong impact on Chris.

The family moved from his father’s greengrocers to the Nursery when he was nine and Chris thought he was in heaven, what with seed sowing etc. He went to take a horticultural degree but hated the course and left. As far as Chris is concerned life is an adventure with plants, there being 65 varieties of lettuce, and 10,000 each of tomatoes and potatoes! He was very happy, not feeling the need for holidays. Every day is different! He still lives there, but last year was hijacked by his two daughters and wife for a holiday in Annecy, Switzerland. After a few days of boredom, he rediscovered happiness when he found the municipal vegetable plot, frightened off a woman stealing them, and found the Wagner Blue tomatoes he now grows.

Seventeen years ago, a couple of autistic children were brought in to the nursery by their mother who asked if they could stay for an hour or two. He felt unable to say NO, as it is not in his nature. Word got around with more and more of not saying no. This became a ‘special needs gardening project‘ for 21 autistic, physically / mentally disabled children.

More requests flooded in and grown men wanted to join in. Still could not say no, so this became 250 a week! Radio Gloucestershire got involved, so he invented jobs they could do - recycling flower pots, beer cans, cardboard, and then handed over his potting shed for a carpentry shop and woodworking classes. All are disabled except the volunteer helpers. Now has another 100 plus on crafts, painting classes, keep fit. Result: Toilet block £120,000!!

The project had by now become The Butterfly Garden Charity, requiring a small kitchen to provide refreshments. Luckily, he had a couple of spare acres at the back of the nursery which is where the charity is now based with its wild flower garden and vegetable plots. The University of Gloucestershire holds courses there. Alcoholics visit, plus Downs children, and cerebral palsy sufferers, but it all works; especially now that a new £60,000 kitchen is helping with cooking the 70 plus lunches provided daily, five days a week.

This man’s ingenuity knows no bounds, and he was awarded The British Empire Medal in recognition. No mean feat! We are so lucky to have all this just outside Gloucester and the gifted eccentric Chris.

A cheque was presented at the end of an excellent evening with most of us spellbound throughout. Chris has our congratulations, and keep up the good work.

Peter Burton