A FORMER Tory cabinet minister dropped in to give an address at a York horticultural college.

The Institute of Horticulture is celebrating its silver anniversary with a high-profile conference at Askham Bryan College, and this year the keynote address was by Michael Heseltine, who spoke on “Horticulture: a force to change lives and communities”.

Delegates will also discuss the topics of green leisure and tourism, encouraging horticulture in schools, food security, the need for research and funding, Government strategies and initiatives, and politics in horticulture.

Speakers include the National Trust, English Heritage, the Royal Horticultural Society, the Horticultural Development Company, the NFU, Cabe Space and the Horticultural Trades Association.

Outcomes from the event will be used to identify priorities and the development of the Institute at regional, national and international levels.

Liz Philip, the college principal, said: “We are delighted that the institute has chosen Askham Bryan College to host this conference. The college is very proud of its strong links with the institute and the support it gives to our horticulture students and the industry in general.”