A KEY figure behind East Lothian’s blooming impressive horticultural displays has received a top national award.

Angus Campbell, who is head operative at East Lothian’s plant nursery in Prestonpans, received a Certificate of Merit at the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s awards evening.

Mr Campbell took over the council’s plant nursery in 2009 and has been instrumental in the success of both the local authority and voluntary groups at national awards ceremonies.

He said: “It was a pleasant surprise and certainly an honour to receive this award from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, and it was good to see the effort that goes into supporting a colourful East Lothian rewarded.

“It has been inspiring working with and supporting all the community groups around the county.”

His green-fingered skills continue the tradition of his dad, also Angus, who was North Berwick’s head gardener in the days when the town was still an independent burgh.

Since taking on the role in the council nursery, the North Berwick resident has rebuilt the range of cold frames and refurbished the elderly glasshouses.

He has also made the nursery more sustainable and cost effective by reducing its environmental impact through recycling, reducing heat loss, streamlining procedures and supplying community gardening groups.

'Goes well beyond'

With one assistant, 53-year-old Mr Campbell now grows more than 200,000 plants for the local authority and 23 groups.

Besides community groups in East Lothian, the nursery supplies plants to Midlothian Council and NHS Lothian.

Mr Campbell has also provided plants for Edinburgh City Council and Princes Street Gardens.

A spokesperson for the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society said: “Angus goes well beyond the requirements of his job in the ways in which he supports voluntary gardening groups in East Lothian.

“Besides raising some of their plants, he advises and supports community gardening groups, schools, nurseries and community centres throughout the county.

“The nursery now generates an income by selling plants and services to communities at an attractive price as a way of supporting community wellbeing.

“He has played a big part in East Lothian’s horticultural successes, notably gold medals for Gifford, Dunbar, Haddington and North Berwick, category winner awards for both Haddington and North Berwick in Britain in Bloom and North Berwick’s fifth Rose Bowl for the best entry in Beautiful Scotland in 2023, as well as the Caley trophy for local authority horticulture awarded to East Lothian in 2021, 2022 and 2023.”

Provost John McMillan was among those praising the work of the council employee.

He said: “I would like to add my congratulations to Angus for this well-deserved recognition of what he has achieved in horticulture practice, which has contributed so much to our local communities.

“As head operative within our plant nursery, Angus has ensured both the quality and quantity of bedding plants used in parks and open spaces across the county.

“His skills in arranging plants and floral arrangements have graced many formal and official events throughout the county.”