Nigel Dunnett
We were very sad to hear that Professor Nigel Dunnett has died at the age of 63.
He and Prof James Hitchmough did a lot of research work in the Gardens which eventually assisted their planning for the floral displays in the Olympic Park during the London Olympics in 2012. From our Newsletter 39 (Sept 2012) Nigel wrote: "Many of the plantings that have been exposed to a world-wide audience had their starting points in Sheffield Botanical Gardens."
Nigel and James gave many lectures to the Friends including the inaugural lecture on 24 January 2017 at our first meeting in the Dorothy Fox Education Centre. They were involved in many projects relating to urban planting including the 'Grey to Green' initiative.
Nigel will be also remembered for the planting in the Tower of London moat to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 (https://www.nigeldunnett.com/tower-of-london)
He had a great sense of humour and was enthusiastic about all things horticultural. He will be very much missed.
Nigel (centre) with James Hitchmough and Jill Sinclair at the inaugural lecture at the Dorothy Fox Education Centre.