We are deeply saddened to announce that  Sidney Linnegar who was the longest serving member of the BIS and has had a very distinguished career both in the BIS and in the iris world at large has died.

He was not only widely admired and liked by irisarians but recognised by the RHS and awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal.

'The Veitch Memorial Medal, instigated in 1870, is awarded to individuals of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture'

Sidney, joined the British iris Society in 1952 whilst at school, inspired and helped by Nancy Lindsay. After training at RBG Kew, he was in charge of the irises at  Waterer’s Nursery (Twyford) and mounted several of their exhibits at RHS Chelsea and elsewhere.

At Reading University, he was in charge of the Experimental Grounds, setting up a British Iris Society iris trial ground there and also a Collection of Species Irises.

Sidney was awarded the Pilkington Medal for outstanding service to the British Iris Society in 1980, the Foster Memorial Medal (1989) from the British Iris Society for his contribution to the advance of the genus iris and the Bee Warburton Medal from The American Iris Society, for contributions to the knowledge, discovery and dissemination of iris. The last two are both international awards

Rest in Peace Sidney