Policeman gets to grips with law of nature

After an action-packed police career which started as a 19-year-old bobby on the beat in Malton, he is now to be found tending the vines in Helmsley Walled Garden.

The retired inspector, who retrained as a professional gardener, has just taken over as the new garden manager, having spent nine years at Cowesby Hall, looking after the five-acre Victorian garden.

After starting his police career in Malton, he was given a country beat in Rillington. He got his sergeant's stripes and transferred to Harrogate and Bedale.

After being promoted to inspector in charge at Ripon he spent time at police HQ before retiring in 2000, starting his job at Cowesby a day later.

Since then he has dedicated himself to community-led projects, including setting up Thirsk Community Woodland Charity, dedicated to creating and maintaining local woodlands.

Mr l'Anson, 54, said: "The police work was right at that time in my life.

"I enjoyed the excitement that went with it. But as you get older you get calmer."

He had always unwound by working in the garden of his marital home near Thirsk.

When he and his partner bought some adjoining land he studied at Askham Bryan agricultural college and became fascinated by gardening, particularly growing fruit and vegetables.