Peter Robinson
Horticulture Tutor
Peter’s passion for horticulture was inspired by his family, and like many people, began growing plants from seed in a small patch in his parents’ garden and has created many gardens in his various homes over the years. Peter says:
‘I love flower-filled romantic gardens and have tried to achieve this everywhere I’ve lived. My first house only had a back yard which I filled with pots full of colour and planted a wisteria to grow up the wall, something I have done in every house I’ve lived in.’
Peter began his working life as an apprentice in the nuclear industry, before starting a successful career as a Design and Technology teacher and was a senior leader and Deputy Headteacher for almost 30 years. After a period of ill health he then made the decision to follow his lifelong passion for gardening and retrain in horticulture with NR Training at Lowther Castle and Gardens.
Peter enjoys growing flowers, vegetables and fruit in his large allotment garden close to his home. More recently he has developed a wildlife garden and wild flower meadow under the fruit trees and an ornamental garden. Peter believes that gardens are an important place for people to escape from the stresses of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world.
He says: ‘Teaching was a demanding job and I found my garden was a place that allowed me to unwind at the end of a stressful day. During my illness it was a place to retreat to and look to the future. Gardening is above all a hopeful activity, each seed sown and plant planted is an act of faith in the future.’
Peter is a new addition to the teaching team at Lowther and is keen to use his teaching skills to pass on his love of horticulture to the next generation. Peter also works in a number of private gardens in West Cumbria.