Carol Paris given garden award

The operations director of the Garden & Leisure Group has been handed a major accolade by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) at its Garden Futures Conference.

According to Horticulture Week, Carol Paris received the Charles Pearson Memorial Medal at the London event for her contribution to the garden and greenhouse industry.

She was praised for her knowledge and drive in helping the sector evolve through her actions as HTA vice-president and board member, as well the training and advice she provides to individuals and firms.

"Carol provides a huge and selfless contribution to our industry," the website reported HTA president Caroline Owen as saying.

Ms Paris gives a lot back to the industry and acts selflessly by not simply focusing on her own interests, Ms Owen explained.

"The medal is awarded annually to someone who has made a contribution to the industry way above and beyond the ordinary, and I can think of no finer winner," she added.

The award has been given out since 1930 in memory of the HTA’s first general secretary Charles Pearson.

In other news, the Royal Horticultural Society recently reported that its Chelsea Flower Show is to feature entries from a number of new exhibitors in 2011.