St. Michael's Mount/FacebookIt’s Friday afternoon and by now many of us will gazing wistfully at the office clock, dreaming of post-work beers.
As much as I enjoy my own job, I admit I’m already thinking about getting away from the computer this weekend in favour of some fresh air. A nice late-morning cuppa in the garden, a weekend potter around the shops. Absolute bliss.
For some green-fingered individuals, there could be a legal way to escape the nine-to-five grind once and for all; swapping water coolers for crashing waves and desk cactuses for artfully tapered topiary.
St Michael’s Mount is a breathtakingly beautiful island 500 yards off the rugged Cornish coast, brimming with mystery, folklore and history.
Complete with an imposing castle and an ancient harbour, this is an island straight out of a fairy-tale. And that is before even mentioning the lush, exotic gardens, full of winding pathways and secretive places.
If you are looking for piece of paradise to escape to this summer, you could be in luck. St Michael’s Mount is looking to hire a new head gardener.
The applicant should of course bring wheelbarrows full of experience, as well as the agility of a ‘mountain goat’ (This position will involve abseiling…)
St Michael's Mount/InstagramPart of the perks of this job will include the chance to became part of the ‘friendly island community’, with a house in the village included as part of the position.
According to the job advertisement:
Gardening on a rock in the middle of the sea isn’t for the faint-hearted, nor is abseiling from the battlements of a castle. But the Garden Team on St Michael’s Mount take all this in their stride as well as the general terrain which would challenge the most agile mountain goat.
Beyond the physical challenges, the Garden Team are all passionate about the island’s unique garden and continue to develop the plant collection using species that thrive in one of the UK’s most challenging environments.
The plant collection on the island has been honed since the Walled Garden was built in 1780, which now supports an array of herbaceous and tender perennials.
Flanking the Walled Garden are the East and West Terraces that provide the aspect and protection to grow succulents like aeoniums, aloes, echeverias and sempervivums all year round.
St Michael's Mount/InstagramI can’t even keep a basil plant alive, so sadly this isn’t the calling for me. But if you have an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and a daredevil streak, St Michael’s Mount may well be calling to you.
You will have to hurry up though if your CV needs a bit of cultivating. The closing date for applications is June 7, with interviews taking later in the month.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.