Annual Celebrity Lecture in Memory of Geoffrey Smith

Geoffrey Denis Smith (23 March 1928 – 27 February 2009)  was one of the first horticultural students to train at the Yorkshire College of Agriculture & Horticulture (which then became Askham Bryan College) and won the prize as the best all-round student.   He went on to become a professional gardener, broadcaster, writer and lecturer and is perhaps best known for his role as the presenter of ‘Gardeners’ World’ (1980 to 1982) and a number of other BBC series in the early 80s, including ‘Geoffrey Smith’s World of Flowers’, ‘Mr Smith’s Flower Garden’, ‘Mr Smith’s Favourite Garden’ and ‘Mr Smith’s Indoor Garden’, all of which were accompanied by books.

At the tender age of just 26 Geoffrey became Superintendent of Harlow Carr Gardens and was particularly known for successfully growing plants which experts had labelled unfit for the northern climate.

Geoffrey was a great supporter of the ABC Gardening Club in the early years, so when he died at the age of 80 in February 2009, the College and the Club felt that a memorial of some sort would be appropriate.  It was decided that a tree should be planted in the College grounds with a commemorative plaque, and to keep his memory alive the Club would host an annual memorial lecture in some way linked to him or his interest in wildlife, nature and plants.

The first Geoffrey Smith Memorial Lecture was given by nationally-acclaimed gardener Roy Lancaster on the subject ‘A Plantsman’s Life: Plants, Places and People’.     Others who have followed include his daughter, Caroline Smith, and celebrity gardener Matthew Biggs.

If you want to know more about Geoffrey Smith please click here.