A REAL-life ‘Mr Chips’ is still proving to be a big fish in gardening circles after winning his latest batch of awards and prizes at the age of ninety.

Retired teacher, Ivor Perry of Bryngwyn, Raglan, scooped a shovelful of prizes at the 2018 Usk Show including six firsts and four seconds, not to mention the Treverton Jones Cup for the highest number of points in the chrysanthemum section.

All Ivor’s prize money was immediately donated to Cancer Research UK.

Ivor was formerly a popular teacher and daughter, Sian Richardson told the Chronicle, ‘Dad taught horticulture, maths and PE at Ynysddu & Pontllanfraith Secondary Schools for years.

His former pupils got together and organised a ninetieth birthday party recently. They regaled me with tales of how he was an inspirational teacher - firm but fair- who was always there to help if they had any problems and worked hard to get them through their exams.

‘Many of them visit us at home, coming to show Mr Perry what they’ve grown, or bringing their grandchildren to meet him! He is a real life Mr Chips in many ways.’

Ivor has no plans to give up his plots any time soon, with gardening year-round occupation, he is going to be giving fellow horticulturalists a run for their money for some time to come.