Frank H. Garner MA MSc, RAC Principal, 1958-1971

Frank Garner came to the RAC in 1958 with a strong academic and work record. Having studied/researched at Cambridge, Oxford & Minnesota, he taught at Cambridge before serving on the Suffolk Agricultural Executive Committee during the War. He then farmed on the large Hiam Estates in East Anglia before succeeding the honoured Robert Boutflour as RAC Principal.

Garner made his own notable developments at the College:

• introduced the Higher National Diploma and Advanced Farm Management courses – both very popular;

• completed the already planned Boutflour Hall, opened in 1959 as a memorial to Robert Boutflour;

• built a new Principal’s house, Bailey Lodge, opened in 1960;• built a large machinery block, opened in 1964;• built the now extended “New Block”, opened in 1967 (renamed “Frank Garner

Lecture Block” in 1988).

When first opened, Frank Garner’s “New Block” had a spacious, well-lit drawing office on the upper floor with an entrance hall, 4 lecture rooms and a study on the ground floor. Vic Hughes, RAC Principal, 1979-90, later extended this New Block and renamed it the “Frank Garner Lecture Block” when the extension was opened in 1988.

Frank Garner was closely associated with the Rugger, Cricket and Estate Management Club and in 1970 he acquired Eysey Manor Farm to broaden the College’s agricultural facilities.

Away from his desk, Garner promoted the RAC through his many offices which included Chairman of the Farmers’ Club, President of the British Society of Animal Production, President of the British Grassland Society and Chairman of both the Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire National Farmers’ Unions.

Both Frank and his wife, Hilda, were particularly committed to the College Chapel which has a brass plaque for them. Frank Garner certainly left the RAC in 1971 with a firm base for growth and he can also be remembered by his portrait now hanging in the Bathurst Dining Room.

Martin Argles opening the New Lecture Block, 1967,

with Garner and P Birchall

Garner Lecture Theatre computer room, ca.1988 (now offices in Room 28)

Frank Garner, Principal, at the main RAC door, ca.1961

The “New Block” from across the lawn, 1967