For his significant contributions to fruit culture and production over many years, Anthony Turnbull presented the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers' annual Fruit Culture Award to Robert Oliver.

The presentation will be made at the National Fruit Show dinner, held at Leeds Castle on October 23.

In his speech, Turnbull will praise Oliver as: 'A professional fruit manager of the old school whose receipt of this award will undoubtedly delight the industry.'

Turnbull recalls that Oliver had attended the old Kent Farm Institute, specialising in horticulture. On completion of this course, he worked for CK Bartlett & Sons at Gallants Farm, East Farleigh. In 1972, he moved to Boughton where he joined Tony Redsell in what has since become a formidable team.

Over the years, Oliver has developed and passed on to others fine skills of fruit growing and has made himself very knowledgeable on the effects of micronutrients on fruit quality.