Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s Oak Garden is blooming, thanks to funds from the Ventnor Friends of Wight Horticulture and the hard work of colleagues from Isle of Wight-based C.A.R. Gardens, transforming the courtyard-style space in memory of a much-loved Island horticulturist.

Funding was provided by Ventnor Friends of Wight Horticulture — the group's first major project since widening their charitable brief.

The Friends group was founded by Simon Goodenough, who died in 2025 in Mountbatten’s care. It was Simon who, as curator of Ventnor Botanic Garden, originally laid out Mountbatten’s Oak Garden for the benefit of people staying the inpatient unit.

Years later, the garden needed a spruce up. This year’s project was implemented by the C.A.R. Gardens team, to the design of office manager, Rob Mew, himself a noted Island horticulturalist. In 2025, in a room overlooking the Oak Garden, Rob’s wife was cared for by Mountbatten Isle of Wight. The couple had a view of a beautiful yellow rose, which became very special to them.

CLICK HERE for a YouTube video of Mountbatten's Oak Garden

Above: The C.A.R. Gardens team on planting day, with Mountbatten volunteer gardener, Jenny Peddar (back) and Rob Mew, centre. 
Below: From left, Sally Peake and Valerie Pitts, from the Ventnor Friends of Wight Horticulture and Craig Ratcliff and Rob Mew, from C.A.R. Gardens.

Rob’s design, in Tracey’s memory, was inspired by their shared experience and a goal to give a focal point to each of the rooms overlooking the Oak Garden, providing colour and seasonal interest.

Working with Simon’s original design, and keeping the rose Tracey so enjoyed, the area has been revitalised. The quiet courtyard is dominated by a mature Oak Tree, now complemented by a much tidier curved bank, featuring year-round interest that will continue to develop.

The Friends have also planted a tree in Simon’s memory — carefully chosen on the advice of his wife, Debs, and an example of the New Zealand flora in which Simon was an expert.  The tree was kindly donated by Cornwall-based Burncoose Nurseries.

The Oak Garden is one of several outside spaces at Mountbatten. The end-of-life charity prides itself on ensuring calming gardens are available for the people it cares for, and their family and friends. Anyone can visit Mountbatten’s gardens — you do not have to know someone being cared for at the hospice to enjoy them. The main Chelsea Garden, for instance, wraps round the hospice’s popular café, which is also open to all.

• Read more: CLICK HERE to read Debs and Simon's story here
• Read more HERE about Mountbatten Isle of Wight's gardens and watch a video

Above: Before work got underway in the Oak Garden. Photo by Valerie Pitts.
Below: The garden in full bloom, in June.

C.A.R. Gardens’ Rob Mew said: “It was a huge pleasure being part of this collaborative project. Having had personal experience of Mountbatten Isle of Wight, I was able to fully understand the importance of the outdoor space and how the Oak Garden, with its planting, is so massively valued by relatives, friends, staff and, most importantly, the people Mountbatten is caring for on its ward.

“It was a privilege to be involved with the garden revamp — part of Simon’s legacy — to undertake something so very positive and give back for the amazing care provided by all at Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

“C.A.R. Gardens will be back to continue developing this project. Bulbs will be planted in the autumn, ready for spring’s displays of tulips and daffodils.”

Ventnor Friends of Wight Horticulture’s chairman, Valerie Pitts, said: “The development of the bank in the Oak Garden was a perfect project for our charity, now we can support wellbeing schemes across the Island.  We think Simon would have been delighted and we are excited to see how it develops.”

Above: Work underway in the garden, earlier this year. Photo by Craig Ratcliff.

Mountbatten Isle of Wight volunteer gardener, Jenny Peddar, said: “As a small team of volunteers, we take great pride in maintaining our beautiful outdoor spaces. It is amazing when those in our community support us in our work. The transformation is incredible and we’re so grateful to those who took the time to make this happen.”

In May, the C.A.R. Gardens team also took part in Walk the Wight in aid of Mountbatten Isle of Wight. The total amount raised by their team exceeded £3,000.