The company's fruit culture award was made to Patrick Barker for his "long and much valued practical; contributions to the fruit industry," said the fruiterers' master Peter Halliday.

Barker started his career on the family fruit-farm on the Bedfordshire-Cambridgeshire border contributing to the business for 20 fruitful years and earning an HND at Writtle College as well as building a reputation for excellent quality pears. He joined ICI Crop Protection in Kent on the sale of the family firm before becoming an adviser with Tymans Agricultural Merchants in 1982. He retired last year.

The livery company's 2003 craftsman award went to Blackmoor Estate foreman Michael Rudman. Rudman has worked at the estate for 25 years and won the award for his all-round nursery and orchard skills in particular, tree-training.

Look out for more news from the show in next week's issue.

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