A FIRST time entry into the Royal Cornwall Show by a Tavistock Pannier Market stallholder has unearthed an unexpected bronze medal for plant trader Mark Balsdon.

Mark, from Milton Abbot, was delighted when judges at the show picked his stall out from the many top quality entries in the horticultural section and awarded him a certificate for third place.

His display of roses, perennials, rockery plants and bedding along with garden related products such as tools, pesticides and garden shoes and boots caught the eye of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association judges.

For the owner of Parade Plants, who has been working in the horticultural industry for nearly 40 years, the award was totally unexpected.

'I have always taken pride in displaying my plants and gardening products in the best way possible. It's something I do every day at Tavistock Pannier Market, where customers kindly remark on how good the stall looks but it is nice to be appreciated by such top judges in this way,' said Mark.

HIs love of gardening was nurtured by his grandparents, who were market gardeners themselves in Milton Abbot, and later working in the garden with his father and uncle.

'In working in horticulture you have to have a lot of patience with your plants and be prepared to work in all weathers. It's very seasonal and a wet summer can make it tough making a living, so apart from my plants I also sell garden related products.'

He left Tavistock College in 1977 and worked for Endsleigh Nursery in Milton Abbot as a plant salesman until 2004. It was then that Mark took the brave decision to 'branch out' on his own and for four years could be seen, in all weathers, at his stall outside Tavistock Pannier Market, before moving inside to his present pitch.

Mark, aged 54, is married to Sam, and they have two children, Kirsty, 9, and Megan, 5.

'When I decided to start my own business I had a lot of encouragement from my customers at the time. My customers and fellow traders at Tavistock market have become my friends over the years and it is pleasure to work in a place where you feel so welcomed.

'What I like is the relationship I have with my customers, who come back year after year and some come from others parts of the country and even abroad.'

But Mark's small success could have planted a seed for the future.

'The Royal Cornwall was my first show and to win a medal at such a prestigious event was a real boost. It might even encourage me to enter more shows in the future!'