Sadly, and unexpectedly, Bill Lockyer passed away after a short illness in January 2016. Auricula ‘Kevin Keegan’, Auricula ‘Poacher’s Sky’, Auricula ‘Lincoln Cuckoo’, and Auricula ‘John Wayne’ pictured on the W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists Gold Medal winning exhibit, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. Pictured at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018.
Their exhibit feature’s Bill Lockyer’s bowler hat and two copper kettles – which were given as prizes for the best Auriculas, many years ago, at the Chelsea Flower Show. Simon Lockyer and Louise Batchelor of W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists created their Auricula exhibit in memory of Simon’s Father, Bill Lockyer. Auricula ‘Brenda’s Choice’, pictured on the W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists, Gold Medal winning exhibit, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. As the Lockyers’ Auricula collection grew they established a Plant Heritage National Collection of Florists Auriculas (the double flowered form). Bill and Simon exhibited their Auriculas at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for over 20 years, they achieved their first Gold Medal together in 2012, repeating their success with consecutive Gold Medals in 2013, 2014, and 2015. As the Lockyers’ passion for Auriculas grew, they began exhibiting their plants at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where they first showed their Auriculas alongside those of the legendary Auricula specialist Brenda Hyatt, before moving on to host their own exhibits. Bill, his wife Joan, and their son Simon shared a love of gardening, together they grew many plants, including double flowered Auriculas, known as Florist’s Auriculas. W & S Lockyer are a family run, independent, specialist nursery that was started in Surrey, in the late 1980s by Bill Lockyer and his then 13-year-old son, Simon Lockyer. Auricula ‘Sirius’, Auricula ‘Roxie’, and Auricula ‘Lilac Ladywood’ pictured on the W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists Gold Medal winning exhibit, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. RHS judge Jim Buttress, pictured with Simon Lockyer and Louise Batchelor of W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. I so enjoy visiting Chelsea’s Grand Pavilion, which is filled with over one hundred exhibits created by expert growers, from nurseries that seem to specialise in growing almost every kind of plant. I love to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, for me this is the most prestigious and exciting event of the horticultural calendar! I enjoy seeing Chelsea’s show gardens of every size and style, I am always interested to discover the latest gardening products, and I really look forward to finding new favourite plants, whilst being reminded of old favourites.
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