Jen Ball

Experience

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  The Rookery Gardens

  Jun 1993 - Jan 2009

  Head Gardener

  Head Gardener for Grade 2 listed 200 year old public garden redesigned early last century by Edwin Lutyens. Herbaceous borders, rose beds, water gardens, white garden, orchard, Wildlife area, woodland, Lawns and terraces, ponds and streams, Pergolas, wall shrubs, Mixed beds and borders, sports areas. Liaised with theatre groups for in garden productions, outside contractors, community service and volunteer workers. Work programmes and bedding/border designs, leading and training gardeners.

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  Hadlow College

  Jan 2009 - Mar 2016

  Assessor and Internal Verifier

  A1 assessor and TAQA Internal verifier for City and Guild. Covering Horticulture, landscaping, parks gardens & open spaces and grounds. Portfolio building, training out in industry, reviews, course management, class based teaching and on site training. Theory knowledge and practical skills.

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  Howletts Wild Animal Park & Port Lympne Reserve

  Jan 2016 - Jul 2018

  Estate Supervisor

  Leading teams of Gardeners, Grounds workers, Arborists, woodsmen. Outside contractors, community payback and volunteers. Work schemes and programmes, purchasing and ordering. General day to day running of the park in supervisory position.

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  Dover College

  Jul 2018 - May 2023

  Gardens and Grounds Manager

  Managing Grounds and Gardens teams over 4 sites. Work schedules and plans, budgeting, purchasing and costing. Redevelopment and improvement strategy development and implementation for Gardens and Grounds over sites including cricket, football, rugby, athletics etc. Grass and artificial surfaces. Design of Gardens, borders and bedding schemes, propagation area development. Team development and up-skilling.

• 

  Ashford School

  May 2023 - now

  Grounds and Gardens Manager