Louise Stoddart
Horticulture Tutor
Louise has over 25 years’ experience in the horticultural industry, and currently works part-time as Head Gardener at Quarryhill House. Louise also shares her knowledge of horticulture here at Lowther Castle, and at Higham Hall and most recently was employed as a lecturer at Newton Rigg College. She also runs her own garden design and consultancy business and has worked in some of the finest private gardens in the Lake District.
Louise gained her Landscape Design & Management and her Amenity Horticulture qualifications from UCLan based at Newton Rigg College.
Louise’s career has been inspired by many people:
‘My Great Grandmother was an amazing self-taught horticulturalist. We would sow candytuft seeds and pick alpine strawberries to eat with ice-cream.
Dan Pearson, a garden designer, also inspired me because if his naturalistic designs. Bob Watson & Shelagh Todd (Newton Rigg Lecturers) saw my potential long before I did and continue to inspire me to this day’.
Louise’ s greatest achievement has been to take the decision to go back to college in order to pursue a career in horticulture, whilst also raising a young family, finding herself one of the very lucky people who can say that their profession is also their passion. She can now infuse others with that same passion through teaching horticulture.
Louise says ‘Receiving feedback from students like “It has been a joy to have been taught by you – I thoroughly enjoyed your humour and wit and don’t think there has been a week when I have not laughed out loud in enjoyment. I am praying that you continue to find such joy in gardening and teaching others with your knowledge in whatever you go on to do after Newton Rigg” really makes everything worthwhile’.