Garden and greenhouse organisation distributes awards

Garden and greenhouse enthusiasts may be interested to hear that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has held its annual awards ceremony, with outgoing president Giles Coode Adams presiding over events.

Among those honoured was Scotlands Matthew Elliot, who scooped the Bursary Advisory Committee Prize of £500.

The Edinburgh-based horticulturalist achieved the highest overall standard with his report on the conservation of Juniperus Cedrus, which included notes on his research in the Canary Islands.

It is a second year of success for Mr Elliot who, in 2008, was granted the RHS Coke Trust bursary award of £1,000 to help towards his study.

Meanwhile, Bristol grower David Thomas was given the Centenary Prize for attaining the highest overall score for the academic year in the RHS level two Certificate in Horticulture.

Such is Mr Thomas love for garden and greenhouse matters that he gave up a lucrative career in dentistry to pursue his passion.

In other news, the RHS has revealed that Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – the soprano singer – is set to appear at its Garden Wisley Music Festival in June 2010.