AGS Award Winners 2025

Congratulations to this year’s award winners! Join us at our weekend AGM and conference to celebrate their success.

SOCIETY AWARDS 2025

Lyttel Trophy: TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE AGM

The Society’s highest award, recognising meritorious work for the AGS and alpines. The winner is chosen by previous recipients of the award who are AGS members, and the President.

Sir William and Lady Lawrence Award: PAUL COOK

Presented annually to a person who works in professional horticulture and who has made a significant contribution in their work with alpines (cultivation, research etc).

Paul Cook recently stepped down as curator of Harlow Carr – a post which he held for 12 years. In that time, Paul was instrumental in transforming Harlow Carr into one of the country’s premier gardens, with the alpine collection being a notable highlight. This includes a new rock garden that has recently been installed in front of the alpine house. Paul has also supported the Society’s student placement scheme since its inception, providing professional support, education and advice to the next generation of alpine horticulturalists.

Kath Dryden Award: GEORGE ELDER

To recognise meritorious work and expertise in advancing our knowledge and understanding of the cultivation of a genus or group of alpine plants.

Nominated for his enthusiastic and successful cultivation and exhibition of South African bulbs. George has been growing plants in his Cardiff garden for a long time and has always been keen to acquire new things. He is not afraid to experiment with compost mixes and conditions until he finds those that meet his high standards of cultivation. This has often involved using new and innovative components. Who else would have used absorbent garage spillage granules in place of heavy, impervious grit! A perusal of the AGS image library will show how he has delighted our show audiences with fantastically grown genera such as Androcymbium, Daubenya, Hessia, Strumaria, Wurmbea etc. Many of these have won Certificates of Merit and other major awards, demonstrating the skill which he has developed.

Ferrier Charlton Award: ANNE AND STEVE VALE

To recognise outstanding work for the Society in an administrative or managerial capacity.

Anne and Steve have been AGS members since 2002. In 2023, they took over the running of the Early Spring AGS Show to prevent it from folding. In 2024, they transformed the show into the first AGS Plant Fair, which has not only been a phenomenal success but has also served as a template for similar events, which Anne and Steve are also supporting. They will join the Board of Trustees in 2025 so that they can make a greater contribution to the running of the Society.

Award of Honour: CELIA SAWYER

To be awarded to those members who have undertaken sterling work on behalf of the Society, not necessarily during the year, but over a period of time.

Celia has made a significant contribution to the Society at both national and local levels. Locally, Celia has been a leading figure in the Oxford Group and responsible for much of that group’s success. Regarding her national work, Celia instigated the volunteer programme for the AGS Garden and continues to take a leading role on this. She has also served the Society as a trustee and holding trustee, making an important contribution to the Society’s proposed new constitution. The AGS has benefitted, and continues to benefit, greatly from Celia’s dedication, enthusiasm and expertise.

Award of Honour: GAIL DEVRIES

Gail has left an indelible mark on the Pershore garden, the Alpine Garden Society, and the wider community. Her journey of involvement and leadership demonstrates not only her love for horticulture but also her commitment to fostering growth, both in plants and in people. It was Gail’s initiative to partner with the National Garden Scheme and hold open days at Pershore. One of her significant contributions was the redevelopment of the car park border at the entrance, which she transformed from a tired and overgrown area into a flourishing display, using many of her own plants to breathe new life into the space. Gail has also made important contributions to the running of the Society, first as a member of the Board of Trustees and now a Holding Trustee. She has brought a fresh perspective and a hands-on approach to many aspects of the AGS, strengthening its ability to serve both members and the public.

Sussex Weald Award: BOB WORSLEY (EAST CHESHIRE)

Awarded to an outstanding nominee for a Local Group Award (someone who it is felt has achieved the most in their time working for a local group).

Bob has worked tirelessly for the East Cheshire Group for many years, currently serving in a number of roles. He supports all the local shows, however small, to create interest for the public and recruit new members. Bob produces high-quality plants for the shows and supports members with how to enter, including at the national East Cheshire AGS Show. He provides members with growing advice and alongside the shows, organises local plant sales and garden visits.

Local Group Award: JOHN GRAHAM (OXFORD)

To recognise outstanding service within a local group over a number of years, the impact of which has been felt more widely than just in the local area.

John edits the Oxford Group’s newsletter, The Fritillary, with the 2024 issue produced to celebrate the Group’s 60^th anniversary. The issue needed much research into archived material and was exceptional, beautifully illustrating plants and members, past and present. John also organises regular plant sales, helping to generate income for the Group’s excellent speakers.

Local Group Award: ALWYN FOSTER (NOTTINGHAM)

Alwyn has made a significant contribution to the running of the Nottingham Group over the past 20 years, most notably in ensuring that the Group always enjoys a superb speaker programme. He is also responsible for producing the Group’s regular newsletter, and performs a vital role in connecting new Group members with the national Society.

Local Group Award: HILARY McKELVEY (ULSTER)

Hilary is a long-standing member of the Ulster Group, serving in various committee positions including her current role as treasurer. Together with Cilla Dodd, she has taken the lead on number garden visits for the Group, including a four-day trip to Scotland. Hilary also opens her garden, in which she grows a range of alpines and other plants, to both the Ulster Group and the public, helping to increase the profile of alpines and the AGS.

Local Group Award: CILLA DODD (ULSTER)

Cilla has fulfilled various roles in the Ulster Group. She has been adept at welcoming new members and always makes a point of ensuring that no one is left out at Group meetings. With Hilary McKelvey, Cilla has organised very successful garden visits for the Ulster Group, including a brilliant and intensive four-day trip to Scotland in May this year. Cilla is also the membership secretary of the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group has used her association with this organisation to benefit both the AGS Ulster Group and the wider Society.

Website Award: JON EVANS

To recognise the best contribution to the Society’s website during the previous year.

Jon has made a significant contribution to the website through his diary, which catalogues not just the shows but also his various trips abroad. It is an incredibly valuable resource for members and non-members. Over the past two years, Jon has also created new software to record the show results, which is a critical part of the Society’s technical infrastructure and deserves recognition.

Literary Awards

Clarence Elliott Award: STEVE FURNESS

Awarded to the best article published in The Alpine Gardener during 2024.

‘Picking Five Plants from a Cast of a Thousand’ (September 2024) – A celebration of the gateway alpine: Sempervivums.

Lionel and Joyce Bacon Award: MIKE MYERS

Awarded to the best practical gardening article published in The Alpine Gardener during 2024.

‘Bulb-Filled Verge Blooms at Fairfield’ (December 2024) – A highly informative account of Mike’s efforts to establish a mini-flower meadow along a roadside verge. Lots of advice on establishing and maintaining the meadow throughout the year is provided so that anyone can try this in their own garden.

Christopher Grey-Wilson Award: DAVID MORRIS

Awarded to the best feature articles containing at least 10 photos published in The Alpine Gardener during 2024, judged for photographic excellence.

‘On Both Sides of the Mountain’ (December 2024) – A detailed account of David’s trip to the Pyrenees, with stunning photos highlighting the alpines, scenery and other wildlife in the region.