In September 1994 Janie contracted a severe infection and septicaemia following a visit to Brazil, and needed major surgery.
Following periods of absence, she then resumed work part-time for a number of years.
‘By this time Painshill enjoyed a strong and dedicated team of trustees, staff and volunteers, a world away from the early difficult, un-staffed days, so it wasn't such a problem for the project,' she reflects.
In 1998, Janie received an MBE for ‘services to historic landscape'. In the same year, the Painshill Park Trust won a Europa Nostra medal for ‘the exemplary restoration, from a state of extreme neglect, of a most important 18th-century landscape park and its extraordinary garden buildings'.
Janie retired from Painshill at the end of 2003, but remains in close touch with the current chief executive, Mike Gove , who consults her as and when needed. A mutually beneficial dialogue Two years ago, Janie became a trustee of the newly formed Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, which with English Heritage and the London Borough of Hounslow is supervising the restoration of Chiswick House and gardens, with money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
In many ways, she finds Chiswick reminds her of Painshill. ‘I have known and loved Chiswick for a long time, and although long open to the public the gardens had become very rundown,' she says. ‘I am hopeful that a mutually beneficial dialogue between the two projects can evolve.'
With Janie to help, one feels that Chiswick is in experienced and capable hands.