Never happier than when amoung the flowers

The Society lost one of its stalwarts when my dad passed away at his home in Chryston near Glasgow on the 18th February 1998 aged 86.  Dad had not enjoyed the best of health for several years and latterly had difficulty in walking.  Born on the 28th November 1911 in Ballyforlea Northern Ireland the youngest of four brothers.  He moved to Ayrshire during the great depression and started an apprenticeship as a gardener at Kirkbride Estate, his knowledge was unsurpassed.  The Latin names of varieties just rolled of his tongue as easily as their more common household name.

He married my mum Marjorie on the 17th July 1935 at Crosshill, Ayrshire.  They moved to Ryefield Estate, Dalry and when war broke out he volunteered and served the war years in the 8th army.

During 1953 the family which now consisted of three boys, Robert, Jim and Andrew Jnr. moved to Stepps a few miles east from Glasgow.  Dad and mum had purchased a little cottage with one acre of derelict land which they proceeded to turn into a market garden.  Dad worked down a clay mine at Castlecary during the day and at night in his market garden.