More SRGC members honoured by 'The Caley'

[Maggi Young]

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George Anderson of the Caley makes the presentation to Wendy and John Mattingley.

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Giant tree at Cluny

Wendy and John Mattingley, of Cluny House Gardens, Perthshire, have been awarded the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Medal in Horticulture by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society  (the Caley)  at a recent  presentation in Edinburgh.

Citation for  Wendy & John Mattingley

Cluny is an iconic woodland garden. The late Bobby Masterton started it in 1949 with plants and seeds, many from the Himalayas and China collected by the Ludlow-Sherriff expeditions. His daughter Wendy grew up here. She trained as a home economics teacher while her husband John taught physics until recently. Neither has had any professional training in horticulture.   In 1987, following the deaths of the Mastertons, they took over responsibility for managing the garden. It has been a labour of love ever since. Wendy is the administrator and weeder while John is the grower and propagator. Skilled use of materials such as leaf mould make this a garden where organic and peat free really do work.  They know the plants so well they do not use labels. They feel they detract from the natural feel of the garden. Wendy has devised   sets of waterproof cards to allow visitors to wander round and identify notable plants.  At six acres Cluny is a relatively   small woodland garden but, to quote the Telegraph’s gardening correspondent:   ‘In no other garden have so many rare and beautiful woodland plants been gathered together and grown with such finesse.’  Year round interest is strong with fruits, bark, shape and texture notable when flowers are scarce.  Plants others find difficult such as the petiolarid primulas are a Cluny speciality. The garden is wildlife friendly and one of the best places in the country to see red squirrels.  Wendy has recorded 100 bird species in the garden.   She also monitors birds of prey in Perthshire.

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The family connection with SRGC goes back a long way and many local groups  have  enjoyed John's  talks on Cluny and the work done there. It is a pleasure to see these two dedicated people honoured for their  hard work and dedication. Well done, Wendy and John!

(See articles/items  from John and Wendy in the IRG (International Rock Gardener) 
Mattingley, John : 29/15; 36/3, 7C; 53/16
Mattingley, Wendy and John : 27/2; 36/2   )

[Maggi Young]

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The Dr Andrew Duncan Medal for distinguished service to horticulture  by an educationalist, advisor or administrator was presented to Lady Catherine Erskine of Cambo Estate, also an SRGC member! 

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Catherine Erskine  is well known as a galanthophile and has done a great deal to  develop Cambo's  early  snowdrop events as well and with a wider Scottish Garden  project.


See all the Caley Awards here : https://rchsblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/recognition-for-scottish-gardeners-at-the-caley-agm/

[Maggi Young]

In addition to the  Caley medal winners already mentioned, twelve gardeners were awarded Certificates of Merit – an award that acknowledges a wide range of service to gardening and horticulture in Scotland.

Presentations at the AGM

Graham Anderson from City of Edinburgh Saughton Park gardens.
Alistair Clark of Portrack House
Ian Gilchrist of Midlothian Community Hospital Community Garden
Mike Gourlay of the thriving Dalgetty Bay Horticultural Society
John Maclennan from Blackhall Horticultural Society
Hamish McKelvie honorary president of the British Cactus & Succulent Society,
Ian Potts recently retired gardener from Benmore after 49 years.
Gary Robertson from Dundee City Council and Trustee of Dundee Flower and Food Festival
George Robertson gardener from Pollock Country Park, Glasgow
Dianne Smith from Balfron High School
George Smith of Brig in Bloom (Bridge of Earn)

Well done all!

Congratulations too  to  retiring President Pam Whittle and  new  President, David Knott , pictured here with George Anderson , on the left.

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read more : https://rchsblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/03/presidents-galore/

 George is familiar to TV audiences as a presenter on The Beechgrove Garden  - which will be  back on BBC screens soon!

[Maggi Young]

See the reports of Cyril Lafong's award : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14076.0

[Maggi Young]

Apologies for  missing out the  Caley Awards  notice from 2017 - better late than never, I hope - here is a photo of the assembled honoured folks  ....

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Pam Watson, valued SRGC member from Ayr is pictured  third right, with her certificate of Merit! 

[Maggi Young]

At the SRGC Early Bulb Day  former Caley (RCHS) president Pam Whittle announced, in advance of the RCHS AGM,  that the following awards are being given to  two stalwart SRGC members.....

The Dr Andrew Duncan Medal: (Introduced in 2003 for distinguished service to horticulture by an educationalist, advisor or administrator) Stan da Prato was announced  as this year's recipient.

The Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Medal in Horticulture: (Introduced in 1990 to mark the 90th birthday of the Society’s Patron, the Queen Mother. The medal is awarded for outstanding service by a non-professional)  Pam Whittle announced that Sandy Leven  is to be given this award.

The honours will be formally awarded at the Caley AGM on 6th March. 

Warm congratulations to these two stars of SRGC and  Scottish Horticulture! 

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Stan Da Prato

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Sandy Leven

[Maggi Young]

 Stan da Prato and Sandy Leven - pictured last evening with  their medals and citations from the Caley.

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Such richly deserved  honours!

The full line-up of those  given awards .....
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