Former Head Gardener returns to plant a wisteria in his honour

Former Head Gardener Nick Firman returned to Pembroke on 5 November 2021 to bed in one final plant. 

Nick retired as Head Gardener on 31 January, after nearly 56 years at Pembroke. Due to lockdown, the College was unable to mark Nick's retirement at the time. In June, Nick returned to film a short tour of the gardens for the online Alumni Benefactor's Reception. It prompted an alumnus to offer to donate a plant for the garden in honour of Nick's service to the College. Nick chose a wisteria plant with long racemes, to be planted next to the entrance to the gardeners' yard.

Nick was joined by his family, who watched on as he planted the wisteria, assisted by the Master of Pembroke, Lord Smith. Afterwards a reception was held in his honour in the Old Library, which was attended by many staff and Fellows, past and present.

It's thanks to the hard work of Nick and the teams that he's managed that Pembroke has such beautiful and memorable gardens. What's Nick proudest of? The sheer variety of plants you can find in Pembroke's gardens and how each court has its own character.

Nick joined Pembroke as a gardener in April 1965 and became Head Gardener in 1973/74. He fondly remembers some of the more characterful Pembroke Fellows, especially the former Dean, Meredith Dewey, who oversaw the gardens for many years. A knowledgeable gardener himself, Dewey personally cultivated the rockery alongside Ridley's Walk and wouldn't allow the gardening team on to it. Nick recalls the gardening team waiting until Dewey was safely on his annual Long Vacation trip, then surreptitiously going in and tidying it up.

Nick and his wife Julie also acted as hostel keepers on Barton Road for many years.

Sarah Claydon has succeeded Nick as Head Gardener. Sarah joined Pembroke from Trinity.