Poison Garden talk goes down a treat

Alnwick Poison Garden opened to the public in 2005, with a twofold educational brief of alerting visitors across the age demographic to the dangers of plants that debilitate and kill, and to raise awareness of drugs addiction.

- TOM PATTINSON

I signed up as a voluntary tour guide, and it's an understatement to say that this venture has been successful over the past 20 years, with an estimated two-million-plus passing through the imposing metal gates.

Participants in the 20 people for 20-minute tours, are instructed at the outset to stay in the group and not touch, taste or smell any of the plants. Anxiety-induced fainting on occasion indicates complete understanding of the message!

Given this background, we recently invited two of the Poison Garden team to revisit Alnwick Garden Club October meeting for an update on their activities.