The Royal Horticultural Society has honoured three people from North and East Yorkshire.
They are Chris Beard, an adviser at the RHS Garden at Harlow Carr in Harrogate; Sam Cryer, chairman of the North of England Horticultural Society; and Derek Hargreaves, who has played a leading role in the salad crops industry.
Mr Beard has been a
warded an Associateship of Honour. He lives in Harrogate and was formerly in charge of parks and gardens for Harrogate Borough Council. He is now treasurer of the Harrogate Britain in Bloom committee.
The Associateship is awarded to people who have rendered distinguished service to horticulture in the course of their working life. No more than 100 people hold the honour at any single time.
Mr Cryer, of Bishop Thornton, near Harrogate, has been made an Honorary Fellow – given to those who have made a significant contribution to the RHS. He is a former Mayor of Harrogate.
He was instrumental in transferring the long-established Harrogate Spring Flower Show from the Valley Gardens in the centre of the town to its current location at the Great Yorkshire Showground, where it has been able to expand.
Mr Hargreaves has been awarded the Harlow Carr Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society. The medal is awarded to people who have made a significant contribution to horticulture in the North of England.
Originally a lecturer at Askham Bryan College in York, Mr Hargreaves, of Beverley, helped set up the Cucumber Growers Association, is a member of the Tomato Growers Technical Committee and works as an independent consultant.
RHS president Giles Coode-Adams said: "Just as the RHS demonstrates the best in horticulture whether through its gardens or shows, so these recipients have shown the way on an individual basis."
RHS Britain in Bloom judge Jim Buttress will present the awards at a lunch at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on Monday.
