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On a glorious early summer day, the restored Gardens were officially opened by Michael Palin, writer and television presenter and a Patron of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust, on the 20th June 2008 at 12.30 pm.

Before the opening ceremony he was conducted on a tour of the Gardens by Sue Kohler, the Chairman of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust and FOBS, Mary Bagley, Director of Parks and Countryside, Sheffield City Council and Ian Turner, Curator of the Gardens, accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Mrs. Jane Bird. During the tour he introduced to members of the Gardens’ staff and FOBS volunteers. As the tour progressed he chatted to the public and signed autographs and books.

After the opening ceremony he planted a tree on the west lawn in commemoration of the event. The tree Michael planted was Aesculus flava, the Yellow Buckeye, which is related to the Horse Chestnut and originates in the Eastern USA. The tree planting ceremony was followed by a luncheon for invited guests.

Quote from The Star newspaper 21st June 2008

"Michael Palin said it was wonderful to be back home in South Yorkshire and added "obviously someone up there likes what has been done here, it's a glorious day and the setting is absolutely lovely."

He added "This is a result of love and determination and many people’s hard work – they should be proud of what they have achieved, Sheffield should be proud. .... Not only are the Gardens valuable examples of beauty within Sheffield, but also a great reminder of Victorian Civic pride."

The Botanical Gardens welcomed Ian Turner to his new role as Curator on January 7th, 2008. Ian said:

“Sheffield Botanical Gardens is well known and loved, not just by the people of Sheffield, but also by the many people who have lived or studied in the city. I am very excited to have the opportunity to manage and develop the Gardens for the future.”

Ian was born in Manchester and trained at Cheshire College of Agriculture (1987-89). He then spent 3 years at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1989-92) before moving to Staunton Country Park in Hampshire for 3 years as Head Gardener. His experiences at Staunton, a Regency estate with a range of glasshouses, a walled garden, various surrounding gardens and 1000 acre park, fitted him well for his next challenge: 11 years at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, one of the world's first combined zoological and botanical gardens.

At Paignton, Ian developed the gardens along habitat themes, to create exhibits combining both plants and animals. Some of the gardens at Paignton were particularly decorative, including a medicinal garden, Mediterranean climate garden, and an economic plant garden. Another part of his job involved producing seed of an English native grass species, extinct in its natural habitats, for conservation seed banking and reintroduction to the wild.

Mary Bagley, Director of Parks and Countryside, said:

"We had candidates from Botanical Gardens in European Countries applying for the post. Ian was outstanding from a very high calibre of candidates. We were able to attract a level of horticultural excellence due to the reputation of the gardens. We recognise the importance of recruiting the right people to our parks in order to steer and develop our open spaces for the benefit of the people of Sheffield.”

Bryan Lodge, Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene, said:

"It's great to welcome Ian Turner to Sheffield and to his new role at the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are a focal point of the local community and the whole city. We are confident that he will take the gardens to the next level in his role as curator."