Established in 1984, Friends of the Botanical Gardens offers horticultural workshops for the local community

Heartfelt tributes have been paid after a charity founding member announced she would be stepping down after 42-years.

Dr. Sue Kohler, MBE, is a prominent and highly-esteemed figure in Sheffield. She is best known as a founding member and longtime President of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield (FOBS).

Dr. Kohler is one of the original founding members of FOBS, having attended the inaugural meeting on April 9, 1984.

In 1984, the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield was formed to encourage the pursuit of horticulture and raise funds.

placeholder image — In 1984, the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield was formed to encourage the pursuit of horticulture and raise funds.

Established in 1984, Friends of the Botanical Gardens offers horticultural workshops for the local community, creating a welcoming social environment where enthusiasts meet to support and preserve the site.

From the outset, Kohler was very active within the group as the FOBS committee arranged talks, ran workshops and demonstrations, visits to other gardens for members and ran plant sales to raise funds.

It was only in the autumn of 1993 that volunteers were allowed to assist staff with the gardening, a task in which Sue took an active lead.

She would be elected to the post of Chair in 1994, a crucial time as funding had been withdrawn, staff numbers cut and the Gardens were in severe decline. This would be a position she would hold until 2010.

Dr. Sue Kohler, MBE is the long-serving President and a founding member of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield (FOBS) | Provided

Over the course of her 42-year tenure, it was through the joint efforts of Dr. Kohler alongside Dr. Joe Kavanagh that Friends of the Botanical Gardens Sheffield was able to secure a massive £5.06 million Heritage Lottery grant in the early 2000s, helping raise the necessary £1.22 million in matching funds to complete the restoration.

For over 40 years, Dr. Sue Kohler has earned wide acclaim, receiving an MBE in 2003, an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield in 2005, and the prestigious Robert Marnock Award in 2010. She also chaired SBGT until 2009 and FOBS until 2010.

Elected as the FOBS President in 2013, Dr. Kohler led key events, including the 30th and 40th anniversary celebrations and the 2023 Robert Marnock commemoration.

Alison Hunter - historian from the Friends of the Botanical Gardens - at Sheffield Botanical Gardens. | National World - Local TV

Sheffield historian, Alison Hunter, has paid tribute, saying: “Throughout her forty-two years of service, Sue has continued to encourage and support the Friends, the Trustees and the Gardeners. Her determination and inspiring horticultural knowledge have made an outstanding contribution towards the survival and development of the Gardens.”

She will formally hand over the reins to her successor at the Friends of Botanical Gardens AGM on November 17.