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RHS Awards Nominations

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RHS awards

Awards nominations

RHS members are invited to nominate candidates for the top RHS awards:
The Victoria Medal of Honour, the Veitch Memorial Medal, the Associateship of Honour and Honorary Fellowship.

We are now accepting nominations for award in 2008/2009.

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The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH)

The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the United Kingdom whom Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society. Only 63 horticulturists can hold the VMH at any one time, to commemorate the years of Queen Victoria's reign. It is the highest accolade that the Society can confer. Current holders of the award include Roy Lancaster OBE, Beth Chatto and Penelope Hobhouse.

NOMINATION FORM Adobe pdf document (53KB)

NOMINATION FORM MS Word document (39KB)

Recipients in 2008 were:

  • John Ravenscroft for his plantsmanship, entrepreneurial talent and encyclopaedic knowledge of plants. A former RHS Council member and owner of Bridgemere Garden World (now part of the Wyevale chain), John has served the plant industry for more than 40 years.

The Veitch Memorial Medal

The Veitch Memorial Medal is awarded annually to persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of the science and practice of horticulture.

NOMINATION FORM Adobe pdf document (53KB)

NOMINATION FORM MS Word document (39KB)

Recipients in 2008 were:

  • Dr James Beard for his lifelong contribution to the development and application of scientific principles to turfgrass culture. Dr Beard founded the International Sports Turf Institute and has served the international horticultural community for the past 50 years through research, teaching and leadership.

  • Michael Nelson for his outstanding practical work over many years in the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, now one of Cornwall's best-known tourist attractions.

The Associateship of Honour

The Associateship of Honour is given to persons of British nationality who have rendered distinguished service to horticulture in the course of their working life. The number of Associates of Honour may not exceed 100 at any one time.

NOMINATION FORM Adobe pdf document (53KB)

NOMINATION FORM MS Word document (39KB)

Recipients in 2008 were:

  • Lynette Randall for her ongoing work in horticulture, particularly at Savill Garden, Windsor. Over a period of 30 years Lynette has proven herself to be a most inspiring horticulturalist. Through her work in the Savill Garden she has delighted countless visitors with intelligent planting schemes.

  • Ian Cooke for his continuous committment to ornamental horticulture, landscape design and grounds management. A former holder of a National Plant Collection of Canna , Ian now works at the University of Nottingham.

  • Mary Spiller in recognition of her lifetime's committment to the practice and teaching of horticulture, mainly at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.

  • Fergus Garrett for his outstanding contribution to horticulture through his dedicated writing and teaching. Fergus became head gardener at Great Dixter in 1993, where he has stayed since Christopher Lloyd’s death, to continue the Gardens in the style and spirit they are known for.

Honorary Fellowship

Honorary Fellowships are conferred on persons who have made a significant contribution to horticulture, but might not be eligible for one of the Society’s other awards. Honorary Fellowships may also be awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the Royal Horticultural Society. In addition they are awarded to the Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and the Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and any other such organisations as the Society may consider from time to time to be appropriate.

NOMINATION FORM Adobe pdf document (53KB)

NOMINATION FORM MS Word document (39KB)

Recipients in 2008 were:

  • Sir Kenneth Carlisle for his outstanding contribution to the Society, especially in the development of conservation and environmental policy. Sir Kenneth is a Garden Advisor to Hyde Hall and an ex-member of Council. His garden at Wyken Hall, Suffolk, is one of the best modern private gardens in the country.

  • Mary Margaret Rochford for her inspirational dedication to the Cincinnati Horticultural Society and establishing the city's flower shows.


The Harlow Carr Medal

The Harlow Carr Medal is conferred on persons who have made an outstanding and distinctive service to horticulture in the North of England.

NOMINATION FORM Adobe pdf document (44KB)

NOMINATION FORM MS Word document (40KB)

Recipients in 2008 were:

  • Ian Sandwell for his outstanding work with the Fairfield ExperimentalHorticultural Station near Preston, Lancashire, and with the Lakeland Horticultural Society.

  • Doug Bradbrook for his ongoing contribution to the bedding-plant industry. Doug is the owner of Ravensworth Nurseries in Richmond and twice winner of the Bedding Plant Grower of the Year competition. He frequently lectures to local authorities and gardens groups.

Nominations

Application forms can be completed online or posted to: Awards Nominations, Royal Horticultural Society, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE.

Nomination forms submitted by 12 December 2008 will be considered by the relevant committees during the winter. The names of successful candidates will be published on this website and in The Garden magazine in July 2009. The awards will be presented to the recipients in July 2009