P&J gardening columnist Jim McColl will need to make more space on his mantelpiece as he has been presented with another prestigious award.
The couthy gardener who dispenses practical information in a fun and entertaining way on gardening in the north of Scotland, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award by The Garden Media Guild awards (GMG) at a glitzy celebration at London’s Savoy Hotel.
The GMG awards celebrate the best of horticultural communications, recognising the talent, skill and inspiration of garden media professionals across the country.
Jim said: “The Garden Writers’ Guild award came out of the blue. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Garden Writers’ Guild is the tops.
“Whilst I feel highly honoured to have received recognition by others, this one is special because I was chosen by my colleagues in the industry which we love so much.
“Not only that, I am conscious that many of them are my peers whom I have esteemed for many long years. Their endorsement is fantastic. Names like Peter Seabrook, Roy Lancaster, Adrian Bloom, Raymond Evison and Michael Marriot (David Austin Roses).
“Kenneth Cox’s dissertation in introducing the award was quite emotional for me, though I was not reduced to a state of speechlessness. After all, I’m just doing my job!”
The veteran broadcaster, who judged our hugely popular Garden of the Year competition, was earlier this year honoured with the Royal Television Society Scotland Award 2016 and last month was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS) at their centenary celebrations.
He and his wife Billie were guests at Buckingham Palace in November to see their son Dougie awarded an MBE for services to the British community in Cambodia – Jim also has an MBE for services to horticulture.