RHS Awards


We had quite the day out in London on the 24th March 2026 for the RHS Awards Ceremony! 


Sara Rittershausen was very proud to be awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Associate of Honour. 
An Associate of Honour may be awarded to persons of British nationality who have rendered distinguished service to the practice of horticulture during the course of their working career. The Associate of Honour is held for life and the number of Associates may not exceed 100 at any one time.
Sara is the 3rd generation of the family to run the business, started by her grandfather in 1949. Sara actively attends orchid shows, runs workshops, gives talks and writes articles on orchids as well as being a member of the RHS Orchid Expert Group. She now runs the nursery with a fantastic team around her.

   

Also very proud is our nursery manager Arthur Bell who was awarded the Westonbirt Orchid Medal. This medal is provided from a fund presented in 1960 by Mr H G Alexander in commemoration of the collection of orchids made at Westonbirt. The medal is awarded by the RHS Orchid Expert Group to an individual for any scientific, literary, or any other outstanding personal achievement in connection with orchids. 
2026 marks Arthur's 50th year of working for Burnham Nurseries. He is well known as the face of the business at shows around the country and is well liked by customers all over the UK. Whilst back at base he packs many of the mail order parcels and organises the potting, propagating and growing of the plants in the nursery.

Congratulations to our wonderful management team on their recognition for many years of hard work in the UK orchid world.