David Miller, one of Guernsey’s leading horticulturists has died. A former director of the Horticultural Advisory Service in Guernsey, David studied at Writtle College obtaining an advanced diploma and subsequently a national diploma for horticulture. Originally from Wiltshire, Miller began his time in Guernsey in 1969 as an assistant advisory officer before becoming director of the service in 1986.
He retired in 1992, but since then had continued to work energetically in the industry. David acted in an advisory capacity for the Eden Project in Cornwall from its inception.
From 2002 to 2006 he served as President of the Guernsey Growers' Association, and in September 2004 he was appointed president of the Institute of Horticulture - a post he was very proud to hold.
Rodney Brouard, managing director of Stan Brouard Group and a past president of the GGA, said: “David was a great and sincere horticulturist who will be greatly missed.”
Former president of the Committee for Horticulture, Ron Marquis, said that in Dave Miller “we look back on one of the most knowledgeable men in horticulture. Under his leadership the industry in Guernsey transformed itself from being predominantly tomato-based to the production of flowers.”
He was awarded an MBE for services to horticulture in Guernsey last year.
David was a friendly, sociable man and will be greatly missed both in Guernsey and further a-field where he had maintained many valuable contacts in a 40-year career dedicated to horticulture.
