TWO landmark achievements have been recognised with the retirement from Snowshill Manor of gardener-in-charge, Linda Roberts.

Miss Roberts has not only hung up her gardening gloves after 25 years with the National Trust at Snowshill, but has also completed 50 years working in horticulture.

On Friday the team at Snowshill organised a surprise tea party in her honour where Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of the National Trust, presented Miss Roberts with the Royal Horticultural Society medal and certificate for her 50 years in horticulture.

Miss Roberts started working for the National Trust at Snowshill on April 1,1990 as a single-handed gardener. She inherited very little in terms of tools and workspace, and no staff or volunteers, just a remarkable garden in need of some tender loving care.

In the 25 years since she took the helm, she has developed the garden with characteristic sensitivity of touch. She has expanded the orchards, overseen the initial stages of reinstating Wolf’s Cove, Charles Wade’s model village and maintained the garden’s status as the first in the Trust to be run on organic principles. She has also helped recruit a diverse team of talented and devoted volunteers who help to undertake almost any garden-related task imaginable.

“Linda’s deep understanding of the essence of Snowshill has been an inspiration to all who have worked with her," said Dominic Hamilton, general manager. "This is no ordinary garden and that is in no small part thanks to Linda’s vision.”

Dame Helen Ghosh added: "We are extremely grateful for Linda’s hard work and loyalty to Snowshill over the past 25 years. It’s a jewel of a garden, full of quirky beauty, and I am delighted to be able to share in this special moment."

Miss Roberts said she had loved her work at the manor.

"It was mainly maintaining the garden that was there, and continuing the colour themes that I have been doing with help from 20 volunteers and assistant gardener Katie Tippens. I like to think Charles Paget Wade would have been happy with it," she said.

She added she was planning a holiday to Madeira before deciding what to do next though said her own garden and house needed her attention first.