He attended the conference at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) in October 1994 that was called to consider the need to set up a network of plant collections and botanic gardens in Britain and Ireland (report from our first conference – ). At the time, he was Directing Officer of Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, where he enjoyed working with the team, giving his staff the chance to shine, and networking with people in other gardens and organisations. The Gurkha Memorial Garden was opened there in 1997, and a new 2½-acre Winter Garden, constructed from recycled and reclaimed products, was the largest in Britain.
At the meeting in Edinburgh, Bernard chaired a workshop on corporate planning, in which he outlined the stages involved in drawing up a 50-year master plan for the Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, stimulating much discussion. He was appointed to the working party formed in 1994 to set up PlantNet. At the launch of PlantNet in Oxford in 1996, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee, succeeding Rob Marrs as Chairman at the AGM in Belfast in April 1998. His planning experience was invaluable to the Committee in preparing a business plan for submission with applications for funding and particularly in drafting the Strategy Plan for1999–2001 for the development of the network, encouraging all to contribute and respond to the policies. Bernard steered PlantNet through the process of setting up a company limited by guarantee and applying for charitable status, enlisting professional legal advice from Ann Phillips. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were drawn up, ensuring that proper procedures were followed from the start. PlantNet was finally incorporated as a company in 1999 and attained charitable status in 2000.
PlantNet flourished, with more meetings and a steadily increasing membership. The PlantNet Tree Forum and the Plant Records Group held their first meetings in 1999. In October, the PlantNet Directory of Botanical Collections in Britain and Ireland was launched by Roy Lancaster with Bernard at Chelsea Physic Garden. Compilation of the Directory by Rob Cubey and David Rae at RBGE was a great achievement, and Roy and Bernard commented on the importance of knowing what we have in our collections and keeping proper records. Bernard greatly enjoyed the networking with staff from gardens and organisations throughout the country and elsewhere in Europe and with people of all ages at the meetings – and in the bar afterwards. For a few years, he lectured on planning on the International Diploma Course on Botanic Garden Management run by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in association with Botanic Gardens Conservation International. He was delighted to be asked, and took pleasure in meeting and helping participants from so many countries.
On retiring from the Hillier Gardens and standing down from the Board in May 2000, Bernard took a full-time, 3-year, degree course on History of Art at the University of Southampton. He relished becoming an art student, growing his hair long and enjoying the course and the company of other students. Then followed the adventure of living in France, when he and his wife Sally moved to a rural area near Agen. After a few years, they returned to the UK and settled in Felixstowe, enjoying visits from their children and grandchildren.
Bernard’s enthusiasm was infectious. Many people will remember him for the cheerful encouragement and opportunities he gave to those he thought had potential.
Judy Cheney
PlantNetwork Administrator 1996 – 2013
I couldn’t let this article pass without adding a few words. Bernard made me feel very welcome to my first PlantNet conference in 1998 and it was Bernard who asked me to join the PlantNet Board in 2004. I stayed as a Board member until 2013 stepping down to become Administrator. I have many happy memories, including climbing over gates with Bernard to get back into conference accommodation on a later than expected return from a pub in Belfast. Fond memories Bernard, cheers.
Pam Smith PlantNetwork Administrator