RHS pays respects to late president

Garden and greenhouse body the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has paid its respects to former president Sir Simon Hornby, who passed away recently.

Sir Simons six-year stint as RHS president saw the redevelopment of the Vincent Square offices and the merger of the body with the Northern Horticultural Society.

As part of this move, the organisation took over the reins of the popular Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate, making it the fourth RHS garden in the UK.

The late president also oversaw the creation of a new horticultural library in London, which will be of use to the RHS for years to come.

Outside his capacity as RHS president, Sir Simon, who was born in 1934, worked for 20 years as director of WH Smith.

He also acted as trustee of the British Museum, a member of the executive committee of the National Trust and president of the Book Trust.

In other news, the RHS recently reported on a rain garden being built in Londons Barnes area.

The attraction will show how horticulture can be used to help absorb the impact of both floods and droughts.