AN esteemed floral expert who was at the helm of the oldest horticultural society in the world for a quarter of a century has died at the age of 92.

Arthur Robinson, who dedicated hundreds of hours of his spare time to running the Ancient Society of York Florists, died in York Hospital earlier this month.

When the society could not find a secretary in 1985, Mr Robinson stepped in to save it from closure and went on to restore it to its former glory.

In 2010, Mr Robinson hung up his secateurs – handing over the role to Coun John Galvin.

Penelope Dawson-Brown, president of the society, paid tribute to a “very special man who touched the hearts of all those fortunate enough to know him”.

She said Mr Robinson cherished his position as the society secretary, saying: “Today the society, which was established in 1768, is recognised as the oldest existing horticultural society in the world.

“There is no doubt that its survival is due to Arthur’s tireless endeavours.”

York-born Mr Robinson attended the former Haughton Road Methodist Church, off Burton Stone Lane, before joining the services when the Second World War broke out. He served with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Burma and India.

When the war ended, Mr Robinson returned home to marry the love of his life, Eileen Baker, whom he had known since primary school, and the couple settled down in Acomb and went on to have a son, Philip, and three grandsons.

After the war, Mr Robinson joined the police force and his beat took in the site of the Backhouse Nurseries at Holgate, now West Bank Park.

Mr Robinson, whose passion for horticulture began when he helped in his father’s allotment as a child, became secretary to the Ancient Society of York Florists, in 1985.

Mrs Dawson-Brown said he “singlehandedly promoted the Society extolling its virtues to entice new members”. She said: “I am glad that before Arthur died he was able to unveil a York Civic Trust plaque erected in Colliergate to commemorate the site where the first Ancient Society of York Florists’ florists’ feast was held in 1768 and also to see the society’s precious archive safely deposited at the Borthwick Institute, University of York.

“These were projects we had worked on together and which gave him huge pleasure.

“Arthur was a man of principles, a staunch royalist who deeply valued tradition.

“His services to horticulture were acknowledged a few years ago when he and Eileen were invited to tea at Buckingham Palace.

“Arthur’s contribution to the city of York’s unique gardening heritage will be his legacy.”