The contribution of Lincolnshire grower Sue Lamb to the UK flower and flower bulb industry has been recognised with the presentation of the Carlo Naef Trophy in April.
Mrs Lamb received the award from Adrian Jansen, chairman of Springfields Horticultural Society which presents it annually at the society’s spring flower show.
Mrs Lamb retired last year from the nursery she and her husband Roger had set up on a 1.8ha greenfield site at Pinchbeck. Starting initially with Doris pinks, they trialled other crops such as alstroemeria, gypsophila, delphinium and campanula. As the business and its facilities expanded over time they came to focus mainly on hydroponic tulips, but also stocks, antirrhinums, lisianthus and matricaria.
Her involvement in the local industry saw her serve as treasurer of the Spalding Horticultural Training Group, a committee member of the South Holland Growers Club, a trustee of Springfields Horticultural Society and a member of the NFU East Midlands horticulture and potatoes board. She was also an AHDB Horticulture panel member and the driving force behind the National Cut Flower Centre, established with AHDB support, where new types of flowers were trialled for their suitability as UK crops and their potential interest to supermarkets.
On their retirement the Lambs’ business was acquired by FLB Consultants, which has an interest in several companies that trade in flowers, although the Lambs retain ownership of the site.
The trophy was given to the Springfields Horticultural Society in 1992 by J&E Page, at the time a leading flower wholesaler at New Covent Garden Market, to mark the 90th birthday of its chairman Carlo Naef.