By Gordon the Gardener

Huddersfield’s own Graham Porter has received the RHS Harlow Carr Medal of Service for Horticulture in the North of England.

Graham, who lives in Netherton, travelled to London to pick up the award two weeks ago.

The award is even more significant as Graham is, in fact, from the south of England.

Graham said he was proud of his roots but also of his 40 years in Huddersfield where he settled after marrying a Yorkshire girl and added: “I’m humbled to receive this award.”

His name apparently has been on the RHS awards list for some years and now the honour has finally been made.

Graham Porter with his award

Graham worked at various gardens around the country and gained vast experience, which he has used as an horticultural educator.

He studied horticulture at Askham Bryan College in York in the 1970s. Graham is also BBC Radio Leeds gardening expert and has been a panellist with BBC Gardeners Question time.

He is a gardener’s gardener who has a great ability to answer the most difficult questions.

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But Graham is not one to rest on his laurels and is planning an educational programme of horticultural education, with a subject close to his heart – pruning.

I’m sure the people of Huddersfield and the whole of Yorkshire say: “Well done, Graham!”