Bob takes over at helm of gardening club

One of Torbay’s best known and respected horticulturalists has taken over the top trowel of Torquay and District Gardening Club.

Bob Sweet is the new president of the club - previously known as Torquay and District Horticultural Society - taking over from another well respected horticulturalist and committed club member of 56 years Don Cockman.

Having spent a lifetime career in horticulture and landscape design, Bob is probably best known locally for his time as director of parks, arts and recreation for Torbay between 1981 and 1997.

During his time at the helm, Torbay parks department won the highest  award at the Chelsea Flower Show - not just once but ten times between 1984 and 1996. With those gold medals the resort benefited from valuable publicity on TV shows covering the nation's favourite flower show.

Many of the plant-packed displays - which included a double decker Edwardian bus, a giant shoe for The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe and The Mad Hatters Tea Party, enjoyed by TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh - also went on show in the resort during the summer season.

Bob was subsequently appointed to the shows department of the Royal Horticultural Society leading the team of show managers for all its hugely popular shows including Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park, Cardiff and Malvern until 2013.

During his career, Bob was chairman of South West in Bloom and later national chairman for five years, being instrumental in setting up Britain in Bloom as part of the RHS. He served as an external examiner in horticulture and was a panel member for the British Standards Institution assisting to set the British Standards for Landscaping.

In addition he was chairman of the Knoll Gardens Trust in Dorset.

Bob is still a passionate South West in Bloom member and is currently a national assessor for the Association of Professional Landscapers and has served as the horticultural director of BBC Gardeners’ World events since 2015.

Don started his career as a gardener at a large private garden in the Lincombes, Torquay. He went on to take the prestigious role of head gardener at the town’s then five-star Imperial Hotel. He joined Suttons Seeds on the first day the company moved to Torquay and retired after 19 years as the head of their gardening advice team.

He also judged many shows across Devon as a member of the Guild of Horticultural Judges. Don has served on the club committee and has also been chairman.

All are welcome at club meetings held at the Livermead House Hotel at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of the month. Check out the club website  https://torquaygardeningclub.co.uk/ or email  nickibaker222@gmail.com.

DIARY DATES

May 10 - 12.15pm for 12.30pm. The George Lidstone Memorial Lunch to be held at the Dainton Golf Club restaurant opposite Fermoy's garden centre on A381 near Ipplepen. Please register your interest at the April meeting for a reservation.

May 17 - 7.30pm: A talk from Bowdens, the leading hosta nursery in the UK by Peter Savage. Floral art challenge:  Encourage the Bees.

June 21 - 7.30pm:  A talk about the Plants, Wildlife and Conservation of Hedgerows by Roger Avery. Floral art challenge: Roses Roses Everywhere.

July 19 - 7.30pm:  The Scents in our Gardens presented by the well known Nursery Speaker Jeremy Wilson. Plants for sale. Floral art challenge: A Scented Display.