Hugh Henry MSP for Renfrewshire South: Blooming great work

28 Jun 2015

Blooming great work

I would like to wish green-fingered schoolboy Dean Gordon the best of luck as he bids to win the Royal Horticultural Society’s Young Gardener of the Year award after being nominated by art teacher Lesley Hinde for his work at the Craig Hepburn Memorial Garden and outdoor learning centre at Linwood High School where he is a fifth year pupil. Dean’s work at the garden which opened last year in memory of former pupil Craig Hepburn was deservedly highlighted in the Paisley Daily Express. The 16-year-old volunteer digs in for hours every week as well as helping the younger, inexperienced gardeners. He’s already a winner in my eyes but I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for him on July 5th when the awards take place in Surrey.

About Hugh

Hugh Henry is a Scottish Labour politician first elected a Member of the Scottish Parliament in1999 when he represented Paisley South. He was appointed Deputy Minister for Health and Community in 2001and moved to Deputy Minister for Social Justice in 2002. He became Deputy Minister for Justice after the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in 2003 and Minister for Education in 2006. Hugh collected the Scottish Politician of the Year award in 2010 and won the newly created Renfrewshire South seat in 2011. He was raised in Erskine, Renfrewshire and educated at St Mirin's Academy, Paisley, at the University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College in Glasgow. He has worked as an accountant, a teacher and as a welfare rights officer. He was a local councillor from 1984 until 1999, including four years as leader of Renfrewshire Council. He is married with two daughters and a son.