Griselda Garner was born in Alexandria, Egypt, where she spent her childhood. The multicultural and liberal society that existed there has profoundly affected her life and work. In 1970 she worked with the architect, Michael Peach, when he led the project to move the Old Medicine House from its original site in Wrinehill, Staffordshire to the garden at Blackden. Since the foundation of The Blackden Trust in 2004 she has been involved in overseeing the maintenance of the building, and in the organisation of events. She spent most of her professional life in the classroom, teaching English and running school libraries. She also devised and developed educational programmes that encourage independent research. These investigative methods are now at the core of the educational workshops offered by The Blackden Trust. Griselda still contributes to its activities.