Regius professor and Head of the Department of Botany at the University of Aberdeen, has reached the age of 65 and retired October 1988. Professor Gimingham is world-famous for his work and publications on all aspects of heathland ecology. In his own country he has had many prominent positions in the world of ecology, notably Editor of the Journal of Ecology and, recently, President of the British Ecological Society. We have been fortunate to have had Charles on the Editorial Board of Vegetatio since 1978. During all those years he has reviewed many, many manuscripts in a critical but always cooperative and author-friendly way. Many younger contributors to the journal owe much to Professor Gimingham; he was instrumental in judging, shaping and improving their papers.
It is difficult to grasp that such an active man will really be professor emeritus. Fortunately he has announced that he will continue with at least a part of his plant ecological work, and we are happy to be able to keep him on the Board of Vegetatio! Dear Charles, on behalf of the Editorial Board I wish you many more fruitful and happy years! Eddy van der Maarel