Some focus on the need of government to invest in the sector this month with the House of Lords Report, we will be keeping a keen eye on the follow up to this and the excellent step by the Irish Government to invest in the development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. Representation and voicing our concerns are very much part of what we do and we rely on active members to get involved to recruit and advocate for CIH and in whatever way you can be part of all of these really important conversations.

This month we have some great meetings and our series of Autumn webinars are underway with the last 2 in December – I have committed to getting more social media savvy and LinkedIn is my target with the workshop on 14th December.

I was delighted to see that our longtime friend and editor of the Horticulturist Barbara Segall had been awarded the Outstanding Contribution 2023 Award – my sincerest congratulations to Barbara for her work and for her long commitment to the horticultural profession.

With Christmas looming and the festive rush ramping up it only remains for me to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Christmas and all good wishes for a bright 2024.

David Richardson CHort FCIHort
PRESIDENT
president@horticulture.org.uk