The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A leading South Holland horticulturist has been awarded a prestigious prize.
Brian Taylor was this year’s recipient of a trophy to mark his lifetime achievement.
He was presented with the Carlo Naef Trophy by the Springfields Horticultural Society as a mark of appreciation within the bulb industry with his family firm.
“Working alongside his brothers John and Roger, Brian helped to develop the family business, O A Taylors and Sons, which is today the main UK supplier of pre-packed bulbs to garden centres, retailers and other outlets all around the country,” said David Norton, chief executive of the society.
The Carlo Naef Trophy was gifted to the society in 1992 by the Covent Garden-based flower importing company J and E Page to celebrate the 90th birthday of chairman Carlo Naef.
The trophy is presented each year by the trustees of the society to someone within the UK flower bulb industry.
Mr Taylor’s primary role in the company founded in 1919, was the production of daffodil bulbs and flowers.
The company became the largest exporter to the Dutch flower auctions in the 1970s and markets were also developed in the USA and Canada.
Taylors also supplied bulbs to the pharmaceutical industry in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.
“Brian has always been a dedicated supporter of the daffodil bulb and flower industry and those who work within it and it is therefore fitting he should receive this recognition from the industry he has supported all his life,” said Mr Norton.
The award was presented by Mr Peter Ruysen, chairman of the society.
Taylors was founded by Otto Augustus Taylor who was gassed in World War One and applied for smallholding as he couldn’t return to his previous life in London.
