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Roy Hay (horticulturist)
Encyclopedia
Roy Hay MBE
(20 August 1910 – 21 October 1989) was a British horticultural journalist and broadcaster. He was the author of many publications and the instigator of many organisations and events, including the annual Britain in Bloom
competition.
, one of the Royal Parks of London
, where Thomas had obtained a post. The family later moved to Regents Park and Hyde Park
as Thomas progressed his career, eventually becoming Superintendent of the Royal Parks. In 1924 Roy Hay was taken to the Chelsea Flower Show
for the first time, his father having arranged for Roy to miss school "to start his proper education". He attended every show from that point until his death. Roy passed up the opportunity to attend University and instead joined Watkins and Simpson, a wholesale seed company, working on the breeding side and taking pictures for the catalogue. He began to write short pieces to go with these photographs, and with this, his journalism career began.
) a weekly publication started by Joseph Paxton
in 1841. The Chronicle moved to Reading
after the outbreak of the Second World War and Roy began to edit for various publications of the Royal Horticultural Society
. In 1940 he was recruited by the Ministry of Agriculture
and spent two years on their "Dig for Victory" campaign. This campaign was designed to persuade people to cultivate their own gardens and plots in order to combat food shortages. In 1942 he was appointed the horticultural officer to Malta
when the Siege of Malta
began. In 1945 Roy went on to become controller of horticulture and seeds division for the British zone in occupied Germany.
He returned to the Gardeners' Chronicle and in 1956, Hay succeeded the formidable editor Charles H Curtis as its editor, a position he would hold until 1964. In this role he was assisted by Robert Pearson
and was known to be a stickler for accuracy.
Roy Hay also presented the BBC
radio programme Home Grown, with Fred Streeter, that occupied the two o'clock slot on Sunday afternoon and was later to be occupied by Gardener's Question Time. On this show he came into regular contact with the contributor to the programme, Frances Perry
who he married in 1977. They were long standing colleagues and together visited many countries.
set up the British Committee for Overseas Flower Shows and made Roy its Secretary, during his time as editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle. Roy was instrumental in raising the funds in 1955 to set up the British woodland garden at the second Ghent Floralies which won the Grand Prix d'Honneur. Success followed at Paris and in the third Ghent Floralies. The Board of Trade
were impressed with this record and offered £10,000 for promotions at the Valenciennes Festival but they were required to give this money to a trade organisation. Roy approached the National Farmers Union and the Horticultural Traders Association, neither of whom were interested. This led to David Bowes-Lyon instructing Roy to set up a brand new organisation. Thus was born the Federation of British Horticultural Exporters which then had seven members, and now has 110 member firms and is now known as Gardenex. Valenciennes was a success.
Whilst on holiday in France
in the early 1960s, Roy Hay noticed that the place was "over flowing with plants and flowers". Further investigation revealed that the `Fleurissement de France` was in full swing. This was essentially a "make-France-more-beautiful campaign", initiated by the French Tourist Authority in 1959 on the instructions of General Charles de Gaulle
to brighten the country up. On returning to Britain
, Hay resolved to emulate this event. He approached the British Tourist Authority (BTA) and along with the Director General of the BTA, Len Lickorish, set up a committee to run the British version with the title "Britain in Bloom
". Many organisations were recruited to help, from the AA
and RAC
to the Royal Horticultural Society
(RHS) and quite soon the event became a phenomenon which has since eclipsed all similar events in Europe
in terms of its scale. Despite its later success, Roy Hay did reflect that the initial help from horticultural trade and local authorities in general was lukewarm.
) was formed in 1956 at the suggestion of Roy Hay
in 1970 and the RHS's Victoria Medal of Honour
in 1970, the RHS's highest honour. He was also honoured with the title Officier du Merite Agricole by both Belgium
(in 1956) and France
(in 1959) for his work in Europe in the years following the war.
in 1977, a fellow winner of the Victoria Medal of Honour
, who survived him after his death in 1989. They were long standing colleagues and together visited many countries.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(20 August 1910 – 21 October 1989) was a British horticultural journalist and broadcaster. He was the author of many publications and the instigator of many organisations and events, including the annual Britain in Bloom
Britain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1963, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France. It has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society ...
competition.
Early life
Roy Hay, the son of gardener Thomas Hay, was born in 1910 on the estate of Lord Linlithgow, where his father managed the gardens. In 1911 his father moved the family to Greenwich ParkGreenwich Park
Greenwich Park is a former hunting park in Greenwich and one of the largest single green spaces in south east London. One of the Royal Parks of London, and the first to be enclosed , it covers , and is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. It commands fine views over the River Thames, Isle of...
, one of the Royal Parks of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where Thomas had obtained a post. The family later moved to Regents Park and Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
as Thomas progressed his career, eventually becoming Superintendent of the Royal Parks. In 1924 Roy Hay was taken to the Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, formally known as the Great Spring Show, is a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London...
for the first time, his father having arranged for Roy to miss school "to start his proper education". He attended every show from that point until his death. Roy passed up the opportunity to attend University and instead joined Watkins and Simpson, a wholesale seed company, working on the breeding side and taking pictures for the catalogue. He began to write short pieces to go with these photographs, and with this, his journalism career began.
Journalist and broadcaster
Having written short pieces for the Watkins and Simpson seed catalogue, Roy began to contribute frequently on horticultural matters. In 1936 he became assistant editor for the Gardeners' Chronicle (which became Horticulture WeekHorticulture Week
Horticulture Week is a British horticultural periodical, covering nursery production, garden retail, landscaping, arboriculture, garden heritage, groundsmanship and amenity horticulture....
) a weekly publication started by Joseph Paxton
Joseph Paxton
Sir Joseph Paxton was an English gardener and architect, best known for designing The Crystal Palace.-Early life:...
in 1841. The Chronicle moved to Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
after the outbreak of the Second World War and Roy began to edit for various publications of the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
. In 1940 he was recruited by the Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture
An agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture....
and spent two years on their "Dig for Victory" campaign. This campaign was designed to persuade people to cultivate their own gardens and plots in order to combat food shortages. In 1942 he was appointed the horticultural officer to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
when the Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta may refer to:* The Siege of Malta , in which the Ottoman Empire failed to dislodge the Knights Hospitaller** Siege of Malta, 1570 work of the Cretan writer Antonios Achelis, about the above...
began. In 1945 Roy went on to become controller of horticulture and seeds division for the British zone in occupied Germany.
He returned to the Gardeners' Chronicle and in 1956, Hay succeeded the formidable editor Charles H Curtis as its editor, a position he would hold until 1964. In this role he was assisted by Robert Pearson
Robert Pearson
Captain Robert Pearson was a soldier and politician from Alberta, Canada.Pearson was first elected as a non-partisan to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1917 Alberta general election as the top pick in the, At large soldiers' and nurses vote from voters fighting overseas in World War I...
and was known to be a stickler for accuracy.
Roy Hay also presented the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
radio programme Home Grown, with Fred Streeter, that occupied the two o'clock slot on Sunday afternoon and was later to be occupied by Gardener's Question Time. On this show he came into regular contact with the contributor to the programme, Frances Perry
Frances Perry
Frances Mary Perry was a gardener, administrator, writer and broadcaster.She was born Frances Everett in Enfield, Middlesex, where she lived most of her life. She was educated at Enfield County School and Swanley Horticultural College .Her mother took her as a child to the Chelsea Flower Show...
who he married in 1977. They were long standing colleagues and together visited many countries.
Flower shows and Britain in Bloom
David Bowes-LyonDavid Bowes-Lyon
Sir David Bowes-Lyon KCVO was the sixth son of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Cecilia Nina Cavendish-Bentinck...
set up the British Committee for Overseas Flower Shows and made Roy its Secretary, during his time as editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle. Roy was instrumental in raising the funds in 1955 to set up the British woodland garden at the second Ghent Floralies which won the Grand Prix d'Honneur. Success followed at Paris and in the third Ghent Floralies. The Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
were impressed with this record and offered £10,000 for promotions at the Valenciennes Festival but they were required to give this money to a trade organisation. Roy approached the National Farmers Union and the Horticultural Traders Association, neither of whom were interested. This led to David Bowes-Lyon instructing Roy to set up a brand new organisation. Thus was born the Federation of British Horticultural Exporters which then had seven members, and now has 110 member firms and is now known as Gardenex. Valenciennes was a success.
Whilst on holiday in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the early 1960s, Roy Hay noticed that the place was "over flowing with plants and flowers". Further investigation revealed that the `Fleurissement de France` was in full swing. This was essentially a "make-France-more-beautiful campaign", initiated by the French Tourist Authority in 1959 on the instructions of General Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
to brighten the country up. On returning to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Hay resolved to emulate this event. He approached the British Tourist Authority (BTA) and along with the Director General of the BTA, Len Lickorish, set up a committee to run the British version with the title "Britain in Bloom
Britain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1963, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France. It has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society ...
". Many organisations were recruited to help, from the AA
The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
and RAC
RAC plc
RAC Limited is a breakdown company in the United Kingdom supplying products and services for motorists. Initially formed as the "Associate Section" of the Royal Automobile Club, it was incorporated as R.A.C. Motoring Services Ltd. in 1978. It was then sold by the members of the Royal Automobile...
to the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
(RHS) and quite soon the event became a phenomenon which has since eclipsed all similar events in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in terms of its scale. Despite its later success, Roy Hay did reflect that the initial help from horticultural trade and local authorities in general was lukewarm.
Other influence
The Gardeners' Sunday Organisation (later to be merged with National Gardens SchemeNational Gardens Scheme
The National Gardens Scheme, was founded in 1927 in England with the aim of "opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity". Originally, the money was raised to provide pension support for district nurses; 609 private gardens were opened and £8,191 was raised.Over...
) was formed in 1956 at the suggestion of Roy Hay
Honours and awards
He received a number of honours for his work including the MBEMBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in 1970 and the RHS's Victoria Medal of Honour
Victoria Medal of Honour
The Victoria Medal of Honour is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the United Kingdom whom the Royal Horticultural Society Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society...
in 1970, the RHS's highest honour. He was also honoured with the title Officier du Merite Agricole by both Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
(in 1956) and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(in 1959) for his work in Europe in the years following the war.
Memorial award
There is a memorial award named after Roy Hay which has been described as much coveted.Personal life
Roy Hay married Frances PerryFrances Perry
Frances Mary Perry was a gardener, administrator, writer and broadcaster.She was born Frances Everett in Enfield, Middlesex, where she lived most of her life. She was educated at Enfield County School and Swanley Horticultural College .Her mother took her as a child to the Chelsea Flower Show...
in 1977, a fellow winner of the Victoria Medal of Honour
Victoria Medal of Honour
The Victoria Medal of Honour is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the United Kingdom whom the Royal Horticultural Society Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society...
, who survived him after his death in 1989. They were long standing colleagues and together visited many countries.
Selected bibliography
- Color Dictionary of Flowers and Plants for Home and Garden
- The Colour Dictionary of Garden Plants with (Patrick M. Synge VMH)
- Dictionary of Indoor Plants in Colour
- Field Guide to Tropical and Subtropical Plants (with Frances PerryFrances PerryFrances Mary Perry was a gardener, administrator, writer and broadcaster.She was born Frances Everett in Enfield, Middlesex, where she lived most of her life. She was educated at Enfield County School and Swanley Horticultural College .Her mother took her as a child to the Chelsea Flower Show...
) - The last edition of The English Flower Garden (originally by William Robinson 1838-1935) was edited and revised by Roy Hay.
- Flower Garden Guide (Publisher: Purnell)