Head rosarian at David Austin Roses, Liam Beddall is awarded the Silver Tudor Rose Award by The Rose Society UK for his volunteer role as membership secretary.
Founded in 2017, The Rose Society UK is dedicated to supporting rose enthusiasts. Its aim is to educate and share knowledge among amateurs and professionals promote rose growing organise amateur competitions and support the trade.
Following the administration of the Royal National Rose Society, founded in 1876, the new Rose Society was established by a group of rose enthusiasts. Since then it has grown in prominence and boasts some of the most distinguished names in rose growing as its committee members. The President is Colin Squire OBE DHM and the Vice President is renowned rose breeder Chris Warner DHM of Warners Roses.
At the AGM on Sunday 26th April the officers and committee presented two Silver Tudor Rose Awards – one to Liam Beddall and another to the societies shop manager Mark Nash.
“It was completely unexpected,” said Beddall. “I’ve been looking after the membership for over four years alongside my day job as head rosarian at David Austin Roses. We have about 500 members from across the UK and some international members.”
At the age of just 30, Beddall has become a well-respected rose expert and his passion for the nation’s favourite flowers is evident. His knowledge is well regarded, often interviewed by the press for rose advice. “I’ve been at David Austin Roses for 7 years now. My degree is in French, German and Spanish so a career in roses was not the plan. My grandmother spotted an opportunity at David Austin’s and encouraged me to apply. Having four languages appealed to the nursery as I could help with their customer service abroad,” he explains.
“I have learnt so much from the experts at David Austin and I got to spend time with Michael Marriot before his retirement from the nursery. So much of my tutelage came from the ex-head gardener Richard Stubbs and the key account manager Andrew Rollings. Horticulture has been very welcoming – there is no gate keeping – knowledge is shared freely,” delights Beddall.
Beddall is keen to highlight the benefits of joining The Rose Society UK. For a nominal annual fee of £10, members receive four magazines a year, along with access to shows, trips, and expert horticultural advice. He points to the Spring Rose Show in May, where members are encouraged to enter their roses, as well as a special summer weekend event in June tracing the footsteps of Samuel Reynolds Hole, the first president of the National Rose Society. The itinerary includes visits to Rochester Cathedral, Sissinghurst, and Hever Castle.
“Our mission as a society is to promote roses and meet others as passionate about them as we are,” says Beddall.