Tributes paid to Valley Gardens head gardener who retires after 43 years
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Last updated Feb 11, 2022
Gardener Simon Collier, who has retired

Tributes have been paid to Valley Gardens head gardener Simon Collier who has retired after 43 years working for Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Collier led a small team at one of Harrogate’s most famous parks. He tended to its plants, trees and green spaces but has hung up his shears for good, as has his wife Paula who has also retired from gardening for the council.

In recent years Mr Collier was instrumental in the works to restore the Japanese and New Zealand gardens and he helped to bring the Old Magnesia Well Pump Room back to its former glory.

Jane Blayney, who last year co-authored a book on Valley Gardens and is a former chair of Friends of Valley Gardens said the couple “will be sorely missed”.

“Simon and Paula are absolutely brilliant. I’ve learnt an awful lot from both of them and nothing is too much trouble.

“It will be very difficult to find a replacement. We were very lucky to have them.”

A HBC spokesman said:

“We’d like to thank Simon and his wife for their dedication to the gardens across the Harrogate district and hope they enjoy their retirement.”

Friends of Valley Gardens said:

“Their hard work and dedication to the gardens will be missed.”


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