Honour for Crown Estate gardener

A gardener who has worked on the Crown Estate for 34 years has been awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Neil Dodds, 54, as been head gardener at Frogmore House since October 1990.

He came to Windsor Great Park as a horticulture student and began to work full time at Frogmore in March 1981.

Frogmore House is renowned for its beautiful landscaped garden and 18^th century lake.

Neil is particularly proud of the work he and his team have undertaken over the years to establish younger trees to replace iconic specimens as they age.

He lives with his wife and two sons in Windsor Great Park and is also chairman of governors at Kings Court First School, Ashbrook Road, Old Windsor.

He said: “It will be a great day for the family when I collect the medal and we are very much looking forward to the occasion.”