This year, the Conference and AGM took place in the Oxford Belfry Hotel. Whilst familiar warnings of snowfall were thankfully unfulfilled, the high expectations of the two day event were fully realised in all other respects.
Awards |
Bright Spark Award Tracey Dunn (Hortipak) |
Kentia Silver Palm Ian Paton (Pinetops Nurseries) |
Alan Hendy Award Chris Need (Roundstone Nurseries) |
Trumpet Blower Ian Riggs (Jersey Plants Direct) |
The two day event was completed by an excellent Technical Seminar "Muck & Magic" opened by Neil Bragg of Bulrush who reviewed progress with the ongoing project into sustainable growing media. The theme continued with several speakers contributing on the growing media discussion and two on lighting. In the afternoon we had several speakers on the Pest & Disease updates.
The presentations are available for download as PDFs below.
Dinner
The annual dinner was graced by ex-chairman, Phil Austen, who spoke warmly of his experiences in bringing labelling to bedding plant producers and thanked the Association for his connections with the business and many personal friends.
Awards were presented by Steve Bradley of the Sun Gardening Department, as you can see from the photos here, and ‘thank-you’ presents given to retiring members Phil Austen, Ian Riggs (stepping down as chairman) and Andrew Spiers (retiring from the Technical Committee).
Phil Austen | Ian Riggs | Andrew Spiers |
AGM and Elections
Newly elected to the Technical Committee were Luke Lloyd of Hill Brothers and Ollie Opperman of Opperman Plants. The Home Grown user group, under the leadership of Tracey Dunn, was re-elected ‘en bloc’ to replace the marketing committee and we welcome Tim Kerley of Kerley & Co and Paul Tyson of Coletta & Tyson to the management committee. Simon Davenport, elected to Interim Chairman, is releasing his Treasurer duties to David Fox to ensure that there is no potential for a clash in the handling of the Association’s financial affairs. In addition, it is worth noting that all decisions concerning the Association’s financial affairs and general direction are for the Management Committee and the Chairman’s role is to facilitate the action of the committee.
Next year’s meeting will be 19th January 2016.