Who are the Friends?

The Friends were established in 1991 to give extra support to the Garden and Arboretum’s work, and to increase links between staff and visitors. It has been a great success, raising over £1.5 million through membership fees and events, and offering members a very popular programme of garden visits, tours, concerts and receptions, volunteering opportunities and other benefits (click here to see a full list of member benefits).

The Garden and Arboretum have very exciting plans for their collections, facilities, education programmes and scientific and environmental work. The Friends are always increasing their efforts to help make these plans possible. These pages report on how we support the Garden and Arboretum, and on our programme of events.

Director of the Garden and Arboretum, Timothy Walker says:

"Without the support of the Friends, which now amounts to almost 10% of our annual budget, we simply could not exist as we do........"

Patron:  HRH The Prince of Wales

President:  Lord Patten of Barnes

Vice Presidents:  Lawrence Banks, Robin Herbert, Lady Lapthorne, Sir Ghillean Prance, Sir Crispin Tickell, The President of Magdalen College, The Dean of Christ Church.

Directors and Trustees:  Richard Mayou (Chairman), Jennie Turner (Secretary), Hamlata Bountra (Treasurer), Jane Annett, Mary Isaac, Anna Nasmyth, Sarah Taylor and Timothy Walker.

Forum:  Directors plus: Maura Allen, Harriet Bretherton, Pauline Coombes, Seonaid Danziger, Crystal Dobson, Jeanne Gurr, Carol Maxwell, Sally Orriss and Helen Potts.

Administrator:  Liz Woolley

To join the Friends, click here.

Friends’ news

Introducing Hemlata Bountra, our new Treasurer

We are delighted to welcome Hemlata Bountra, who took over from Martin Lamaison as Treasurer of the Friends in mid-May. Hemlata writes: "I am a chartered accountant and for the past four years I have worked at St Hilda’s College as the College Accountant. Before coming to Oxford, I had a similar role at Murray Edwards College in Cambridge. Previous finance roles have included stints in the hospitality, e-commerce and manufacturing industries. As the Botanic Garden is on my doorstep I am a frequent visitor, and there is always plenty to enjoy. The Friends play such an important role in supporting the Garden and Arboretum and I am looking forward to working with them." We are also looking forward very much to working with Hemlata and wish her all the best in her new role.