People at the AGS?

Dr Rob Amos is a senior lecturer at Birkbeck (University of London), whose research focuses on biodiversity and conservation law. Following in the footstep of his grandparents, Elsie and Ivan Willett, he has been a member of the Society from the age of 12, actively supporting the AGS at both the national and local levels during that time. Rob has been involved in the running of the Society since 2016, serving first as a trustee and then taking over the presidency in 2024.

I especially like Narcissus – when you start to see them coming into flower you know that spring is on the way!

Prof. John Galloway, an Honorary Professor at UCL Medical School, joined the Society in 2011 and since then has served as Hon. Treasurer under five presidents and two directors. He has a lifetime’s career in scientific, medical, dental and healthcare research in several capacities, including working at the universities of Sheffield, Oxford, Manchester, Cambridge and London. John has also worked for the Medical Research Council and major charities, notably the Nuffield Foundation, Cancer Research Campaign, Wellcome Foundation and Progress Education. He has written, lectured and broadcast (radio and television) about his work.

Not being an alpine gardener myself I have no favourites but try to love all alpines equally! 

Tony has 30 years of experience in retail horticulture. Before joining the AGS in 2020, he was General Manager of Dobbies Garden Centre in Cirencester. He has worked for Blooms of Bressingham, Country Gardens, Blue Diamond and as a Regional Manager for Wyevale Garden Centres.

Anne Vale is a retired clinical audit manager with the NHS. She joined the AGS in 2002 and although a regular attendee at the shows did not start exhibiting until 2009. Since then, she has met with great success and, together with her husband, Steve, now runs the Society’s first annual plant fair. Anne is best known for her miniature gardens, which could be found on the AGS’s 2025 Chelsea display.

I love plants but do not enjoy gardening! My favourite alpine is Aubretia Elsa Lancaster.

Steven Vale is a semi-retired systems engineer. He joined the AGS in 2002 with his wife, Anne. Although not really a plant person himself, Steven has actively supported the Society and its shows. His other interest is model railways, especially N gauge.

I like mostly anything that’s not yellow (standing joke; if it’s yellow, it’s a weed!)

David Haselgrove is a retired solicitor and has been involved with the AGS for over 50 years. He was a group secretary for 29 years and the Society’s publications manager for about 25 years. As well as generating considerable funds for the AGS, David’s greatest achievement in that time was overseeing the publication of The Encyclopedia of Alpines, which remains a valued text to this day. He has served on the AGS Board numerous times and was President for five years.

I love woodland plants. Cyclamen and snowdrops are my favourites.

Retires in 2028

Beth Marshall is a botanical gardener and charity fundraiser. She studied the Kew Diploma and has worked as a botanical horticulturalist in several public and private gardens in the UK and abroad. Beth currently lives and works in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southern France and is passionate about wild flora and habitats.

It’s so hard to choose a favourite alpine! Let’s say Dracocephalum austriacum; I was so excited to discover it in the wild. 

Retires in 2028

Matthew Jeffery is an expedition botanist at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. He has been an active member of the Society since 201,7 while working as a botanical horticulturalist at Kew. Matthew has been involved with the successful activity weekends, working to promote professional membership, particularly horticulturalists and those from the conservation and environmental sectors.

My favourite alpine is Sempervivum calcareum; my first successfully-cultivated alpine and a great beginner plant!

Retires in 2027

Sally Petitt is Head of Horticulture at Cambridge University Botanic Garden (CUBG) and Director for the CUBG Certificate in Botanical Horticulture. While at Cambridge, she has had responsibility for the Alpine Collection and several National Collections, receiving the AGS Sir William and Lady Lawrence Award in 2003 for her work with alpines. Sally is currently chair of the Merlin Trust and serves on the RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group, as well as the RHS Learning and Public Engagement Group.

My favourite alpine is hard to say, but standout alpine moments include seeing Cypripedium calceolus and Paraquilegia anemonoides in the wild.

Tom Freeth is a professional horticulturalist and botanist. For several years, he managed the Alpine and Rock Garden Living Collections, landscapes and glasshouses at Kew, where he still works in the curatorial team for both Kew and Wakehurst Place. He has extensive growing, show garden-build experience, travels widely, leads tours and speaks to groups and conferences.

This week my favourite alpine is Iris edomensis, one of the rarest and most beautiful of all the juno irises, found in nature around the rose-red ancient city of Petra.

Bob Worsley joined the AGS in 2012 and supports a host of AGS activities. He is a keen exhibitor at shows, the show secretary of the East Cheshire AGS Show, treasurer of the East Cheshire AGS Group and is also actively involved in the Seed Exchange.

I have a particular interest in Cyclamen and Hepaticas.