AN ELDERLY volunteer who has spent two decades helping maintain a public garden has been celebrated with an award.
Monica Jobson, now in her 80s, volunteers in the University of Reading’s Harris Garden.
She was presented with the Distinguished Volunteer Award in recognition of the lasting impact she has had on the gardens, which are frequently visited by staff, students and residents.
Ms Jobson was presented with the award back in January, almost three years after her nomination.
She was unable to attend the initial presentation at the House of Lords in 2019, and an alternative event the following year had to be cancelled when the pandemic began.
Her nomination praised her dedication to volunteering, turning up whatever the weather to tend to the Long Border – the largest flower border in the gardens – as well as pruning, weeding, and managing flower displays.
The University’s vice-chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, said that he was delighted to present this award to Ms Jobson.
“The work of all the volunteers at the University is hugely appreciated,” he said. “We would not be able to maintain these gardens to such a high standard without her and her fellow volunteers.
“Monica’s contribution and dedication has been second to none — she has truly helped to keep the Harris Garden a haven for both wildlife and visitors.”
The Distinguished Volunteer Award is presented by the University to recognise outstanding personal contributions that volunteers make to the community.
Fellow volunteers wrote the heartfelt nomination in 2019, attesting to Ms Jobson’s helpful and kind nature.
She was described as “always smiling, willing to offer advice to our visitors, and a valuable advocate of the volunteer scheme in the Harris Garden”.
They said that children often gather to watch her at work and that she serves as a “huge inspiration” to the next generation of aspiring gardeners.
