Peter Ralph Thoday 1934-2023
Eden’s First Director of Horticulture
I have a memory that captures Peter Thoday for me. In the next-door office at the University of Bath horticulture department, I hear a lively conversation – the connecting door flies open and there is Peter, eyebrows raised as they so often were. ‘I have just had the most extraordinary call – the man is a complete and utter loon!’ It emerged he had been talking to Tim Smit about plans to create a world- class garden with giant greenhouses in a disused clay pit in Cornwall. ‘I told him he was crazy.’ As events unfolded, however, he
reflected, ‘I learnt then never to doubt Tim’s vision and determination.’ Peter’s entire life was founded
on horticulture and horticultural education, following a succession of gardeners in his family tree. His father was Head Gardener at St. John’s College, Cambridge. After studying at Cambridge
University Botanic Garden and spells working in East Africa, Bristol University and Hertfordshire College, in 1966 he became Lecturer in Amenity Horticulture at the University of Bath, progressing to Senior Lecturer and Director of Studies. The undergraduate course at Bath was unusual, based as
it was within a School of Biological Science not linked to agriculture. The deliberate aim was to develop graduates with an analytical, scientific approach. Peter, with his questioning mind, challenging lecturing style and deep understanding of the history and practice of horticulture, embodied this principle. He used his ‘raised eyebrow technique’ to push students to apply critical thinking, to look past untested ‘craft knowledge’ and dig deep into the science of plant growth. In 1990 Peter left Bath to set up
his consultancy, Thoday Associates, but he remained a visiting lecturer until the course closed in 1993. He was also a visiting lecturer, and later external examiner, of the Kew School of Horticulture. He was created Honorary Fellow of the Kew Guild in 2014 and contributed to teaching at many other universities and colleges. He was awarded the Veitch and Victoria medals for horticulture by the RHS, and helped create the Institute of Horticulture, where he served as President from 1994 to 1996. Peter was not a researcher in
the classic university mould, but his enquiring mind led to several important developments. He was a pioneer in the field of social and therapeutic horticulture, trialling innovative ways of introducing plants and greenspace in challenging areas, such as degraded land, crowded urban spaces and cash-poor areas. This work included research on roof gardens, courtyards and container growing, much of which continues to have great relevance. Recognising that research without
application is sterile, Peter helped create the Federation to Promote Horticulture for Disabled People. He was also a pioneer in hospital landscape design and management, helping to develop outdoor therapy units across the UK and leading good practice on the inclusive design of
outdoor environments through a series of publications and conferences. He was, until recently, trustee and chair of the Sensory Trust and continued to provide wisdom, experience and enthusiastic support. Peter’s longstanding interest
in horticultural history and early technology led to him researching, writing and presenting the acclaimed BBC programme The Victorian Kitchen Garden in 1987, followed by The Wartime Kitchen and Garden. It was Peter’s expertise and profile in this area that prompted Tim Smit to ask him for advice on restoring the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where, from 1987, he was a horticultural consultant with Philip Macmillan-Browse. His relationship with Tim and
colleagues developed, and the ‘crazy’ phone call led to long kitchen-table debates, which fuelled the idea of a new garden that would engage with emerging environmental and sustainability challenges. This was the seed that became the Eden Project. Peter was part of the founding team and ultimately Horticultural Director. Faced with the blank canvas of post-
mining land, Peter played a key role in developing the range of plant exhibits and solving the technical growing challenges, helping to define the site’s many soil specifications. He mentored many of the young horticulturists who had joined the team and were dealing with unprecedented challenges. He helped to initiate and steer the earliest horticulture education initiatives. So began the roller coaster,
where we all clung to his words: do not underestimate Tim’s vision and determination. We have lost a friend, a mentor and
an inspiration. Wherever we stand at Eden, we stand on Peter’s shoulders; wherever we immerse ourselves in the world of plants, we carry his legacy. Tony Kendle
7
©
S
e n
s
o
r y
T
r u
s t
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
