Remembering our Education Adviser, Gail Bromley MBE FLS

It is with great sadness that we must let members know that our Education Adviser, Gail Bromley, has passed away. Our thoughts and condolences are with Gail’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

Gail joined Historic Houses as one of our voluntary learning advisers nearly ten years ago, and chaired our Learning Advisory Panel between 2017 and 2023. Many of you will remember her as a hugely energetic, knowledgeable and positive advocate for all things learning, education and the great outdoors; and a great many of our member houses and gardens have benefitted from Gail’s expertise and advice over the years.

Gail was a real force in the world of outdoor learning, and enjoyed an illustrious career. Gail worked at Kew Gardens for 38 years, initially as a plant taxonomist and later as Head of Education. She developed and managed the schools programme (with over 80,000 visits annually), teacher training programmes, adult education and community engagement, as well as overseeing the interpretation provision.

Gail left Kew in 2013 to set up her own company, Planting Values, freelancing in the field of heritage education. Shortly after this she joined Historic Houses as a voluntary learning adviser, alongside other positions as a director of the UK-wide Botanic Garden Education Network (Bgen), Chair of Trustees for National Heritage (NH) and part-time work for Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

All of us at Historic Houses will miss Gail hugely. Several of us from the office hope to attend Gail’s funeral later in May to honour the huge contribution she made to Historic Houses. If any member houses would like to send a card to Gail’s family or attend Gail’s funeral service, please get in touch so we can share details with you.

Emma Robinson, Director of Policy & Public Affairs