New High Sheriff of Kent, Charles Dawes and wife Val, visited Horticulture Research International today to learn about research and development carried out at the East Malling site and its relevance to Kent and to the wider horticulture industry.

During the visit, Mr and Mrs Dawes were taken on a tour of the laboratories where they were told about technologies being developed to solve grower issues – including the maintenance of fruit quality and reduced use of chemical pesticides.

Dr Mike Solomon, who will become head of site at HRI East Malling on January 16 said he hopes Dawes will return in the near future to find out more about HRI's work on forest tree research and improvement.