Head Gardener, Steven Howes, joined Christ Church earlier thia year. He was born and raised in South Africa. Soon after completing his Social Science Degree at Rhodes University in 2002 he moved to the UK, first in London, then moving North, where he worked for the West Yorkshire Police as a Case Progression Officer. However a passion for plants and being outdoors in nature inspired him to change direction and pursue a career in Horticulture. 

His love for plants began as a young boy growing up in Africa where he cared for his English Grandmother's garden. His fondest childhood memories were having tea at his Grandmother's house and listening to her talk so passionately about her garden. She taught Steven how to prune, and care for her hybrid tea roses and appreciate their wonderful beauty and scent.  

Between 2007 and 2010, Steven studied Garden Design and Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Working with a top landscaping company presented fantastic opportunities to work on some of the most beautiful gardens in London, leading to a job as Head Gardener of the prestigious Golders Green Memorial Gardens. Steve went on to set up his own sustainable garden design, build and maintenance company, working across Dorset. His ambition and drive for excellence resulted in several achievements in his career, including working in a team that won a silver-gilt award at the Chelsea flower show in 2019, finalist at the pro landscaper awards and working internationally on planting projects for top landscape designer Anthony Paul.    

Steven has a strong commitment to ecological diversity and sustainability. He recently completed courses in Permaculture and Environmental Sustainability, and believes that we can overcome many of the environmental challenges we are faced with by working with nature. As Head Gardener, Steve is looking forward to nurturing and developing the gardens at Christ Church, and wants to adopt a more regenerative approach to gardening, supporting ecosystems to thrive, for future generations to enjoy.