Industry recognition for NIAB vegetable specialist

15 Jul 2010

Mike DayThe Royal Horticultural Society has awarded NIAB vegetable specialist Mike Day with a medal of honour for his services to horticulture.

The Countess of Wessex presented Mr Day with the RHS Associateship of Honour at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on 5th July 2010. The Award is in recognition for Mr Day’s outstanding work within horticulture, particularly for his service to NIAB.

Dr John Hutchins, Head of Varieties and Seeds at NIAB, said:

“Mike is a valued member of our team, known and respected throughout the horticultural industry. He joined NIAB in 1970, moving to the vegetable trials section in 1977 where he became Head of Department in 1984, and then oversaw the introduction of Recommended Lists for vegetable varieties. He has also been involved in a wide-range of industry-funded work including HDC and breeders trials, and Defra-funded organic research. We’re delighted that Mike has achieved such high recognition for his work.”

Mr Day is a member of the RHS Vegetable Trials Panel and the newly formed RHS Trials Advisory Committee. He also uses his knowledge and experience to benefit the local community; he has given over 150 Garden Club talks, judges in local produce shows, writes a gardening column in a local village magazine and is involved in voluntary work in Moldova and Ecuador.

Attached image

Mr Day is presented with the RHS Associateship of Honour by Sophie, Countess of Wessex (from left to right Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Mike Day and Elizabeth Banks, RHS President)

For further information contact:

Mike Day, NIAB TAG
T: 01954 230193
M: 07860 194853
E: mikevegday [at] btinternet.com
E: mike.day [at] niab.com

Dr John Hutchins, Head of Varieties and Seeds, NIAB
T: 01223 342262
E: john.hutchins [at] niab.com

Issued by:

Ros Lloyd, Front Foot Communications
T: 01487 831425
E: ros.lloyd [at] frontfoot.uk.com