Looking at the people who keep the wheels of commerce turning on the Island; features, profiles, achievements and stories with a human dimension. PLANT POWER How a new partnership has allowed Jane Prescott of Prescott Associates to blossom once more… If there’s one person who knows about the healing power of plants, it’s Jane Prescott, co- founder of the award-winning landscape and garden design company, Prescott Associates. Established in 1983 with her husband Steve, the practice brought together the couple’s complementary strengths – Jane’s interest in plants and the environment and Steve’s interest in architectural design. The pair won three medals at Chelsea Flower Show along with undertaking many high profile commissions in Liverpool, where the original practice was based.  Jane’s Manx roots eventually called her back to the Isle of Man in 1991 where they undertook a range of government, community and private landscape gardening projects. Sadly, in late 2017, Steve passed away after a brave battle with cancer. The hole that this left in Jane’s personal and professional life was immense. “Losing your life and business partner, along with your joint plans and dreams for your future, is indescribable.” Without Steve to support the architectural design side of the business, Jane spent months in the wilderness trying to work out how to move forward. “It’s incredibly hard doing things on your own when you’ve been used to working as such a close team” she says. Thankfully, Jane wasn’t to be on her own for long. While Steve was undergoing cancer treatment, the couple had enlisted the help of an architectural technologist by the name of Sam Styles. Sam had studied Architectural Conservation at Derby University and worked as part of the technical conservation team at Hampton Court Palace. After Steve passed away, Jane was forced to make some big decisions. As Steve had always been the ‘face’ of the company, it meant that Jane suddenly had to take the lead, something she had always shied away from before, but now thoroughly enjoys. She knew she wanted to build on the legacy she had created with her husband, but found it diffi cult to see the wood for the trees. However, thanks to Sam’s support, a new partnership began to blossom. Combining Sam’s skills in architectural design with Jane’s extensive plant knowledge has given the company a new lease of life. With a new focus on sustainable buildings and regeneration, suddenly the future is starting to look rosier for Prescott Associates. “Sam brings new elements to the business with his architectural skills and flair for design,” says Jane. “It has allowed us to broaden the business into architectural services projects for domestic dwellings, integrated with landscape and outdoor spaces. We are both passionate about sustainable buildings and it Is good to work together on landscape projects, including Peel Regeneration, Year of Our Island Garden and now the Jurby Initiative.” One of the most exciting projects that the newly formed partnership is working on has been to design a retirement garden for a private client. Within the stunning garden design, Sam has included a beautiful oak-framed garden room where an elderly couple can relax and enjoy the garden in all weathers. While the garden design side of the business is growing organically, Jane has also found the strength to nurture her own personal passion by studying herbal medicine. “The course was almost tailor-made for me, bringing together my existing skills and experience in botany and garden design and expanding them into the fascinating study of therapeutic herbs and traditional healing practices.  I have always valued my interaction with  clients and communities through my landscape work and this gives me an added way of helping people reconnect with the natural world.” She now works closely with Manx Wildlife Trust and has given numerous talks about growing and using herbal plants for healing. “A FEW YEARS AGO I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT I’D BE WHERE I AM NOW,” she says. “I think Steve would be smiling and raising a glass, pleased with the way the business is moving forward, and I’m hoping that our work can really positively influence the Island’s communities, both as individuals and as a whole.” | 19