George honoured for allotment work

A KEEN 96-year-old gardener has been made the first honorary life member of Portishead Allotment Association.

George Cosnett, who is within 1,000 days of receiving his letter from the Queen, was commended for his immaculate allotment, which he tended in Lower Down Road for more than 45 years.

He begrudgingly gave up his plot at the end of last season after being forced to admit it was becoming too much for him to manage.

However, that was not before he had received awards from the association for the best octogenarian member and the best nonagenarian.

Association chairman George Norris said the senior citizen had saved the organisation hundreds of pounds, as the former postman and keen walker had hand delivered the allotment bills for many years

President Bryan Stokes presented Mr Cosnett with a cup to mark the occasion and thanked him for his long service.