Raymond Evison 25 years of gold

For immediate release - 12 November 2013  

Guernsey Post is delighted to announce the release of a special stamp issue which celebrates the achievements of Raymond Evison OBE, VMH, a world-renowned authority, breeder and grower of clematis cultivars, who this year was awarded his 25th Gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show (stamp issue date 13 November 2013).

Guernsey Post's 25 Years of Gold issue features five of the clematis that Raymond Evison exhibited at the highly successful 2013 Chelsea Flower Show.  In total he exhibited 50 different varieties at the show, all of which were raised in his famous Guernsey nursery, something rarely done - if at all - by any other exhibitor.

The clematis depicted on the stamps comprise the Anna Louise, a free flowering plant with large violet purple flowers which has been featured on gold medal exhibits at Chelsea many times in the past; the Chelsea, a very compact plant with French Grey rounded flowers which was launched at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate its 100th anniversary; the Giselle, a stunning multi-flowering clematis with six-pointed dusky purple/pink sepals; the Samaritan Jo, a stunning multi-coloured flowering plant; and The Countess of Wessex, a delightful white flower which was launched at the 2012 Flower Show by HRH The Countess of Wessex and admired by Her Majesty The Queen on Raymond Evison's clematis exhibit.   Completing the set is clematis Edda, a compact plant which is to be launched at the 2014 Chelsea Flower Show.

Raymond Evison said: "I am delighted that Guernsey Post has produced this very special set of postage stamps.  It is an honour to be celebrated in this way and I am grateful for the huge team effort from our nurseries."

Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: - "Over the years Raymond has enjoyed huge successes at The Chelsea Flower Show and this year he celebrated his 11th consecutive gold medal. We are thrilled to be able to showcase just some of the beautiful clematis which drew the crowds at Chelsea, including three which made their debut at this year's show[1] - and we're particularly delighted that Raymond has photographed the stunning images which are depicted on our stamps."

-End release-

Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, Amies PR, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, Guernsey Post   01481 733524

Notes to editors:

About Raymond Evison:

Born to a gardening family in 1944, Raymond Evison's horticultural career began at the age of 15 at Treasures of Tenbury Ltd in Shropshire, England; just eight years later he became managing director.  During his time there he developed the garden centre, two small museums and a restaurant - whilst attracting 20,000 visitors annually to visit John Treasure's famous Burford House Gardens.

Drawn by its climate, Raymond moved clematis production to the island of Guernsey in 1985.  The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd was formed that same year and has proved to be a hugely successful venture, as the nursery produces up to a quarter of the world's annual requirement of young clematis plants.  Raymond, who moved to Guernsey in 1987, has bred and developed more than 100 clematis cultivars (hybrids) and has probably introduced more than anyone else worldwide.

Stamp specification details:

Date of issue: 13 November 2013
Designer: Two Degrees North
Printer: BDT International
Values: 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp sizes: 30.56mm deep x 38mm wide
Paper: 110gsm unwatermarked/PVA Adhesive
Perforation: 13.75
Sheet: 10
Cylinder: A

-ENDS-