Established 1973.
1975 The Rose Annual, UK
p90. Jack Harkness. BARB. .....I have written this on behalf of the Members of BARB, and if we had a fully attended meeting, you would see: Bill Anderson from Aberdeen, sometimes kilted, usually laughing, always helpful and loyal to his promises; Roger Pawsey from Cants of Colchester, who quietly accepts a lot of detailed work, and contributes common-sense and good humour; Alec Cocker from Aberdeen, emphatic and earnest one moment, and arousing gales of laughter the next; Bob Boswijk from Rearsby, representing De Ruiter, full of practical sense, quick witted, a man of great heart to depend on; Gys de Ruiter from Holland, with an austere air, twinkling eye, and a keen, logical mind; Pat Dickson from Newtownards, our President, persistent to press for the truth, and considerate to every viewpoint; Frank Fryer from Knutsford, he makes us laugh, but we value his shrewd business mind, and his clever appraisal of roses; Jack Harkness of Hitchin, that's me, I am the Secretary, and I have recorded 150 minutes, every single one of them unanimous; Peter Ilsink of Holland, a real go-getter with enough energy for five and business acumen for twenty; Bill Warriner of Jackson & Perkins, U.S.A., a man of quiet purpose, infinite courtesy and high principles; Reimer Kordes of Germany, who will listen for twenty minutes and answer in twenty seconds, because he sifts the wheat from the chaff in this business better than any; Edward Le Grice from North Walsham, whose goodness and integrity look just the same to us in the trade as they do to those outside it - not always the case, that; Alfred Lowe from Beeston, a man of honour and kindness, in whom duty and fairness are high priorities; John Mattock from Oxford, our Treasurer, who has given us a great deal of work - and John's work is valuable because his abilities are great, and his impartiality unshakeable; George Priestly from Tandragee, representing McGredy, quiet, but with a hammer in his hand to drive the nail home, a most valuable member giving us whole-hearted work; Sam McGredy from New Zealand, who of course we don't often see, but wish we did, for he is a great breeder and has the personal power to lift up any company he is in; Niels Poulsen from Denmark, another humorist, but an expert on Plant Breeders' Rights on the Continent; Harold Robinson from Burbage, a great contributor in keeping our meetings going, with his sturdy common-sense and good humour; Alain. Meilland, from Antibes, pouring out his vision and his knowledge in an emphatic torrent, generously contributing information and documents from his organization; and Michael O'Dell from Waltham Cross, representing Universal Rose Selection - Meilland, always willing to carry out a task, always doing exactly as he promised, and able to advise us about the British cut flower market.
I wonder what the devil they will say to me at the BARB meeting after they have seen this Rose Annual?
