On the evening of 22 May , His Excellency Martin Fraser , the Irish Ambassador to Great Britain and his married woman , Deirdre , hosted a limited event to celebrate the honest of Irish and British gardening at the Irish Embassy in London . The event , held in the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show , require position a few days after EU and UK leaders foregather in London to officially set in motion a new stage of stuffy collaboration , include cover the challenges of grumpy - border trade , which have hit gardening firmly in recent yr .
guest were wowed by Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) member Provender Nurseries and HSK Exotic Plants , who presented a Chelsea - worthy spectacular array and display of plants in the Embassy .
The evening kick off with a panel result moderated by Liz Shanahan , a life story sciences entrepreneur and passionate gardener , who chair a control board with Billy Alexander of Kells Bay House & Gardens , Richard McKenna , Managing Director of Provender Nurseries and Jennifer Pheasey , Director of Public Affairs at the HTA . The Speaker brought a wealth of expertness , with Billy being a gold medal winner at Chelsea , Richard an Irish national with a UK - based business supplying into Chelsea gardens and stand , and Jennifer an advocate for stronger international gardening provision chains .
Ambassador Martin Fraser commented : " We are charmed to be celebrating and championing the very good of Irish and British horticulture here at the Embassy , and the passionate gardeners , expert and businesses that are showcasing their work this workweek in London . Our thanks to all who have joined us for the discussion and wonderful show , and I hope that this upshot help to foster new connections and friendships across these islands and this important industry . "
Jennifer Pheasey , Director of Public Affairs at the HTA , point out : " The HTA , with member across the UK and in Ireland , prize hugely these close commercial enterprise relationships and friendship in horticulture . These fat and valued human relationship extend to its penny-pinching study with the Irish Embassy in London , and we thank the Ambassador , Martin Fraser , who has shown frightful commitment , generosity and interest in gardening with this case .
" The timing of this event is especially welcome , not just being Chelsea week , but just a few days after the much - anticipated reset of UK - EU relationships was formally launch in London . This reset , which let in a shared aspiration to address the barter barriers felt acutely by horticultural business supply and trading across borders , has been long advocate for by the HTA , and we are attached to working with all better half to substantiate an event that means UK - Irish , and wider EU , horticultural kinship can brandish . "
Liz Shanahan welcomed the upshot : " I am incredibly honoured to have curb this event for the last few years and to get to gather some of my gardening heroes . As someone who works in healthcare , I know how much have accession to greenish infinite means to people , and we hear all the metre how much difference creating and attend after those spaces intend to so many people , from those with Crab to dementia . This is a great event , and it is so kind of the Ambassador and his married woman to host it . As a businesswoman , I also apprize the size and scale of this view of horticulture and its enceinte this class to be able to focus on those who are the linchpin of this little bit of magic , once a yr in Chelsea . "
Richard McKenna , Managing Director of Provender Nurseries , said : " As a proud Irishman , and even prouder horticulturist , it was a real laurels to be on the panel at the Embassy ’s event . Provender Nurseries has provision chain across Europe , and we receive any chance to discuss what we do , the chance and challenge , and how , by working more tight , we can alleviate some of the effect we face , grow more , and produce our business organization . As a supplier into Chelsea garden , having a platform to also shed visible light on what we do and how we do it is significant , for that recognition and intellect . I am reckon forward to make more discussion following this high - visibility event . "
Roisin Wilson , Business Development Director at HSK Exotic Gardens , tot up : " Alex and I from HSK Exotic Gardens were thrilled to be able to showcase our plants and conception at the prestigious Irish Embassy Chelsea Flower Show issue . We were really activated to see the reaction of the Guest to the plants we provided , and we look forrard to continuing our connections with others who are passionate about plants and all matter green . I do n’t just intend the Irish countryside either ! '
The result , attended by a large interview of over 100 expert and industry leaders , demonstrate the long - stand concern relationship and friendships in Anglo - Irish gardening , serving as a political program to discuss this year ’s Flower Show , the businesses behind the gardens and touch on the reset of the EU - UK relationship .
For more information : Horticultural Trades Association[email protected]www.hta.org.uk
