Haworth horticulturalist Maurice Baren has received a top honour. He has been presented with the Northern Horticultural Society's coveted Harlow Carr Medal. The prize is in recognition of outstanding contributions to horticulture, and service to the society, by northern gardeners.

Mr Baren retired in 1988 after a number of years as a horticulturalist with Bradford council. Since then he has worked for Edexcel, formerly BTEC, checking standards in Colleges of Agriculture and Horticulture across the country. Until last year he was a governor of Askham Bryan College, where he had trained following National Service in the RAF.

He was a founder member of the Institute of Horticulture, of which he is a Fellow, and served on its first education and training committee. He is a former chairman of Yorkshire in Bloom, and has written six books on various subjects.

Mr Baren and his wife Judith are both involved with the Methodist Church and with NCH Action for Children.

He is a lay preacher and a past president of Keighley Rotary Club.

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