Ornamentals
Tributes and change at BPOA A new chairman, a proposed name change and tributes to a gardening legend were among the highlights at a busy BPOA AGM
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Words: Michael Barker
ributes have been paid to eminent horticultural writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook, who died in January aged 86. Mr Seabrook, a former BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, newspaper columnist and author who also regularly wrote for horticulture trade publications, was regarded as a high-profile ally of the industry who argued against banning peat in commercial production.
HONOUR
At the British Protected Ornamentals Association’s AGM on 20 January, the group’s Trumpet Blower award was presented to his son Roger in recognition of Peter’s longstanding work supporting growers and fighting for industry causes. “My father would have been extremely happy to have received this accolade,” Roger said. “He was absolutely passionate about everything you [growers] work on and stand for. I know he appreciated so much working with you and the individual relationships he had.” Elsewhere during a busy AGM, Derek Jarman was elected chair following the end of James Alcaraz’s term, with Simon Crawford as deputy chair. Mr Jarman is a director at Hayloft Plants, a multi-channel garden plants supplier based in Worcestershire (see Meet the Grower, P38), while Mr Crawford runs Burpee Europe. In his final report as chair, Mr Alcaraz noted that the need for R&D is greater than ever, particularly with the planned closure of AHDB Horticulture. Brookhouse Nurseries’ Robin Squance outlined proposals to divide the technical committee into sub groups, offering greater participation for members and making it more approachable for growers. “It’s a chance for everyone in the whole chain to get involved, including retailers and suppliers,” he explained.
Giving the NFU update, horticulture adviser Christine McDowell underlined the work the organisation put in to secure the ornamental sector’s inclusion within the seasonal workers’ visa scheme, and stressed the importance New BPOA chair of growers supporting the Derek Jarman latest Defra plant health inspection fee proposals (see news, P7), the consultation for which has now closed. “It’s not just about cost, it’s about having a better inspection regime,” stressed Martin Emmett, of Tristram Plants. “It’s about a pathway to a better biosecurity regime, a dynamic regime. The grower voice has to speak for itself as loud as possible.” In other developments, the BPOA website is being updated to make it more useful to members, with Mr Squance describing it as a “window shop onto what the BPOA can and can’t do”. A preliminary discussion was also held over renaming the organisation, with Mr Alcaraz stating the ambition is to expand the association to incorporate as many parts of the industry as possible. Horticultural consultant Chris Need described the current name as “a terrible mouthful” and proposed that a shorter alternative should be found. “It’s about marketing, influence and lobbying. It needs to convey the importance of what we do,” he added. The committee agreed growers and the wider industry should be canvassed for their opinions, and taking the issue forward is expected to be one of Mr Jarman’s first tasks as the new chair. 2 For more information about the BPOA, visit: britishornamentals.org
Spring 2022
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