Former RHS president passes away

The UKs premier garden and greenhouse authority the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has paid its respects to one of its former presidents, who passed away recently.

As well as his six years in the job at the RHS, Sir Simon Hornby also acted as trustee of the British Museum, a member of the executive committee of the National Trust and president of the Book Trust.

Born in 1934, he spent two decades as director of high street chain WH Smith, before taking over at the horticultural organisation.

His tenure with the RHS saw a number of positive moves made, including the redevelopment of the societys Vincent Square offices and the creation of a new horticultural library in London.

Sir Simon also oversaw the amalgamation with the Northern Horticultural Society – a merger that saw the RHS take over Garden Harlow Carr.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently reported that a nine-year-old Cambridgeshire girl has won the chance to have her garden design recreated at Rutlands Barnsdale Gardens, which is the former home of TV gardener Geoff Hamilton.