Staff from the Co-op have been volunteering as gardeners at The Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley, but more help is needed to re-plant Jenner’s garden to as it was in the 18/19th Century. Garden designer, Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall is working on the project but support, research and funds are needed too. Click below for more information. The Museum currently operates with one part-time Gardener/Maintenance Manager who apart from looking after nearly one acre of garden, also looks after Edward Jenner’s 200 year old vine, planted from cuttings taken from the world’s oldest vine at Hampton Court Palace in 1801. The delicious dessert grapes (Black Hamburg) will be on sale at the museum from August and cuttings are also available. The assistance the Co-Op volunteers will provide is an immense boost to the Museum’s “outdoor look”. After the Co-Op team has left long-term volunteers in the garden are needed for ongoing assistance and the Museum is looking for an Apprentice Vine-Keeper, to learn the ancient craft of vine-keeping. Jenner himself apparently experimented with blood as fertilizer and was a keen gardener, along with his world famous medical research activities. This year celebrates the 260th anniversary of Edward Jenner’s birth and his garden has one noticeable scar on the lawn. The trench left by the University of Bristol’s archeological dig is being left open for visitors to see Saxon Berkeley. Sarah Parker said We doubt that Jenner would have been aware of how much history was under his lawn!

www.jennermuseum.com