Commemorative Event at Ness Botanic Gardens

Published on 29 March 2024

On March 21, the Ness Botanic Gardens’ Team along with colleagues from Development & Alumni Relations Team were delighted to host the first Commemorative Thank You Event. The event acknowledged the lives of loved ones who have been remembered in our gardens, by the scattering of ashes in the wildflower meadow, or by gifts made in memory. We also gave our sincere thanks and gratitude to the families of supporters who have generously remembered Ness Botanic Gardens in their Will.

One legacy gift in particular allowed us to fulfil a project that otherwise may not have been realised.  Pamela Kessel sadly passed away in 2021, but her story will continue at Ness through a gift in her Will.  Pamela’s generosity enabled us to commission two beautiful, traditionally made books, which will not only be a reminder of her kindness but will display the names of others who have remembered Ness in their Will, and those whose lives been commemorated in the gardens.   We were proud to showcase the two beautifully presented books at the event – which now replace the former commemorative bench and planting project which historically took place at Ness.

“Many thanks for helping us remember Mum with such a special event. The books on display looked splendid. Mum would have loved it!” - David Kessel (son of Pamela Kessel)

We warmly welcomed over 40 guests who had the opportunity to listen to addresses given by Matthew Clough, Director of Campus Services, Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact and Professor of Stem Cell Biology, and Joanna Kessel (daughter of Pamela Kessel), before being invited to take a guided heritage tour of the gardens (pictured below with Nick Lightfoot Curator at Ness).  Guests also enjoyed delicious food and refreshments provided by The Botanic Kitchen Café and had the opportunity to view their loved one’s names, which had been inscribed into the commemorative books.

In recent years, generous gifts have allowed for investment in key projects at Ness, including: 

The purchase of four all terrain mobility scooters for free-of-charge use by visitors, which were purchased with kind gifts from Robert Allen Lomas and Eileen Lewis.  The scooters link to our aim to make the garden as accessible as possible to all of those that visit Ness. 

The purchase of a pallet of botanic garden plant labels, made possible by a gift from Margaret Christine Morley.  Plant labels are an important aspect of the curation of the collection at Ness and are vital to the curation of the Garden’s collections. Not only are they a convenient way of providing information, but they also link the particular plant to its record, stored on the Garden’s plant database (IrisBG) using a unique number called an accession number.

Linked to sustainability aims, the development of the composting area within the gardens, providing more space, dedicated bays, interpretation and a public viewing area. This project is currently in the planning stages and has been made possible by Mrs Freda Ferguson, Barbara Shuttleworth and Robert Allen Lomas. 

 "My Mum and Dad loved Ness Gardens and enjoyed being Members for many, many years.  As a child I remember regularly visiting on Sunday afternoons – after attending Sunday School.  Sadly, Dad passed away in 2014 and my Mum passed away 3 years ago leaving a legacy to Ness - which was from them both.

Thank you for inviting me to the Commemorative Event, and to have the opportunity to see the new Commemorative Books.  I left the event very happy in the knowledge that my mum and dad’s legacy will contribute to the long-term future of Ness Botanic Gardens."
Ian Shuttleworth (son of legacy supporter Barbara Shuttleworth) 

If you would like to find out how to add a name to the books or if you are considering pledging a gift to Ness Botanic Gardens in your Will, Legacy Officer Carolyn Jones would love to hear from you: carolyn.jones@liverpool.ac.uk