who thinks his hard work and dedication deserves recognition.
This year Ken, of Gerrard Gardens, Harborough, has taken on the responsibility for the watering of the plants and flowers in tubs and hanging baskets in the town and is always there to help when a volunteer is needed.

He does a lot of work in the rose gardens in Welland Park every year and generally helps out with clearing up and other general gardening jobs there.

Ken (69) is now retired and said he has been a volunteer gardener for at least five years, joining the group in their second year.

Some of the recruits come from general enquiries made by people passing by when Ken and his co-workers are tending in the gardens.

The garden work started earlier in the year with the baskets and planters being planted up and the flower beds prepared.

Ken said the volunteers look after the general maintenance until the flowering season is over and then tidy up ready to put the bulbs in.

Apart from enjoying the gardening he said: "It is a sociable thing to do, you have a good laugh and meet people you have never met before."

He said that there are usually about 6 to 10 volunteers working on the gardens, and people passing by often enquire about joining the group.

Ken said that a couple of young teenagers showed an interest and spent some time with the group to see what was involved.

His wife Pat (65) happily joins Ken in the park to help out on Monday mornings for a few hours.

Apart from his gardening, Ken is manager of St Dionysius Community Hall and chairman of the fabric committee for the church.

The couple have eight grandchildren, the four local ones visiting regularly while the other four live in Shepshed.