Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: Maggi Young on June 06, 2017, 10:41:02 PM
-
Terrible news today that the excellent fellow known in these pages as "KentGardener" - John Finch - has passed away. I know no more at present.
John has not taken part in the forum for some time, but we were still in contact but this terrible news has come a a dreadful shock.
Many Scots members were delighted to meet him when he attended some events up here and for galanthophiles in particular he was a great pal ti many members here.
John was fifty years old - it's no age to die.
[attachimg=1]
How we will remember him - John - in camo gear, as ever!
-
How very dreadful. I met him at several snowdrop events - always jolly and very good company.
-
Oh No - I have just heard this awful news. I can hardly believe it - I thought a lot of John and met him on this forum. If it wasn't for him I probably would not have continued collecting Galanthus but John was so enthusiastic and got rides organised for me to local snowdrop events. I often got a train to visit him as I hate motorway driving and we always had such a good laugh. Last time I saw him he sent me home with a huge Trachycarpus in a massive heavy duty Tesco shopping bag and put it on the train for me! I am reeling from this news. If anyone has more updates please let me know - I want to go to the funeral if anyone knows who I could contact. So, so sad.....I will really miss him and will treasure the many gifts from his wonderful little garden :'(
-
What sad and devastating news. After much correspondence on the Forum and via email we arranged to meet John at the RHS Winter Show in 2009, it was like meeting up with an old friend. So kind, gentle, generous and witty, despite his absence of late he was always on our minds everytime a new snowdrop was posted.
I can hardly comprehend this, it seems like yesterday that he lost his partner and yet managed to overcome his immense grief with much support from Forumists.
Heart-broken as many other forumists will certainly be..........
john
-
Still struggling to come to grips with this. He touched a lot of lives.
-
This is terrible news and a great shock to me. Unlike most of us snowdrop addicts, John had managed to kick the habit but during his galanthophile period he made a tremendous contribution to the forum, not least with his blogs on the snowdrop events he attended. Those blogs were what influenced me to write-up my own snowdrop trip recently and I am sure he will have had a lasting influence on many people who knew him, either directly or through this forum.
-
Such terrible news,both Jan and I are in shock,although we had not seen John for a while we had been in contact via e mails,he will be sadly missed,as others have said he did a fantastic blog of all his snowdrops visits which kept many forum users updated and amused
A sad sad day
-
John and I used to go snowdrop hunting together in a private wood where I have permission to collect the odd snowdrop of interest. One time, John negotiated his way over a collapsed barbed wire fence to find a new area where there was a high proportion of weird and freaky snowdrops (a type John liked). I have collected various oddities from that area over the years, an area which I always think of as John's. Perhaps I can find one of these to name in his honour?
-
Perhaps I can find one of these to name in his honour?
What a good idea....unless Joe has got one in the pipeline already waiting for a name!
-
i'm shocked as many of you, i remember good laughting in his small garden after an AGS show.
-
Very sad news.
-
That's no age at all. Life can be so cruel.
-
We had some wonderful communications ... such a lovely guy. Very sad news indeed.
-
The funeral service for John Finch is at 11-30am on Thursday 15th June in the Main Chapel of Eastbourne Crematorium.
Eastbourne Crematorium
Hide Hollow
Langney
Eastbourne
Sussex
BN238AE
-
I'm going to miss him , it was a friendship you could just pick up when you next met them .
-
Very sad to hear this, I'll miss his postings. Too young to go.
-
Just heard the news from the FB forum. Sad news. As a similar age to me it brings it home rather hard that life is all too short. RIP John :'(
-
So sad... :'(
Chatted with him on numerous occasions at the Kent show, after having met him here of course.
Such a simple nice guy...
so sad
-
How sad! I have so many snowdrops in my garden from seeds he sent every year.
He had planned to visit them when they bloomed, but never managed to.
-
Just heard this very sad news on Facebook from Alan. For anyone who has not seen John's small and fascinating garden these are a few shots taken back in February 2013. Not only snowdrops but good collections of cyclamen and ferns as well, plus a lot more to come later in the season. It is a privilege to have known him, even if only a little, and nice to have shared our common interest in snowdrops. Like Jennie, and with hindsight, I'm very sad that I didn't get to see him before Christmas when he offered me part of his library for our AGS Groups - the opportunity just didn't work out.
-
This was the only day I met John and remember walking round The Garden House with him. I have often thought of him since and am very sorry to hear this sad news
-
My favourite memory of John was collecting him at Inverness Airport on our way to a Discussion Weekend in Grantown.
John had flown with EasyJet.
At the gate he was informed that his weekend bag was too large and would need to go in the hold - at extra cost of course. John had used the bag for years, so he solved the problem without a second thought - he smashed the wheels from his case. This greatly amused some Americans flying to Scotland and they said they would be telling all their friends back home.
A larger than life character who will be greatly missed.
-
My mum took this photo of us at the gala when it was last at Glen chantry , it was a bloody cold day . She had two copies printed one lives in her house on the kitchen door the other has always lived where I can see it on a daily basis as a reminder that the cold dark months don't last for ever and February promises fun times with friends . The usual suspects minus one member now :'(
-
What a great photo Emma - and John with a dark beard! Still don't seem real and I couldn't get on with any work today. I have made a list of all the plants from John so I can take good care of them. One special fern he gave me to look after is unhappy in too much shade so I will move that soon. John found it impossible to let anyone leave his garden without taking a plant with them. Bless him :'(
-
Very sad news indeed.
I always enjoyed his posts on the Forum.
Much too young!
cheers
fermi
-
Just heard that John's,Aunt will be looking after his snowdrop collection ,which is good news
-
Thanks for that Charles, a bit of good news on a very sad day.
john
-
John stayed with us a couple of times and we whizzed round the Norfolk snowdrop scene visiting all and sundry, on one visit John, David Quinton and I all found snowdrops in the Greatorex plot - a memorable occasion! He was always generous and bought ferns as gifts to those gardeners whose collections we visited, as has been said before he was very gregarious and got on with everyone and was fascinated to see any new snowdrops. I was always amused every year when he told me he had bought 'Percy Picton' as he never seemed to remember he already had it in his collection and it was so lovely he had to have it! This is how I remember him most on the occasions when he visited, preparing for his snowdrop blogs no doubt!
-
Very sad news :'( He was so generous and friendly...
-
Brian
And he was so considerate of others. Note the thoughtful placement of that big right-foot boot, it was hard-wired in John.
john
-
I have forgotten how to insert a quote and its late at night, maybe my brain has gone to sleep. I am so happy to hear John's aunt is going to look after his snowdrop collection - I just hope they can find good homes for all the other plants John loved too.....and the fish ;)
Last time I went to visit John in March 2015 he asked me to take a photo of him to post on the forum. He wanted me to say Hello to everyone - so sorry I never done it for him. I never named the file so had trouble finding the photos but found them tonight. John is posing with a pot of special snowdrops....not sure if it was a find or a gift from someone. Do you recognise it Alan B ? Anyhow, here are the photos.
-
If you look at the picture of the special snowdrop John is holding you will see that the spathe is elongated and split but not into two parts but three or four. Or those may be extra leaves on the scape rather than part of the spathe. AFAIK this is a unique feature of this snowdrop in which case I think it is one that John found when snowdrop hunting with me and it would be designated "ABJF_2013_3".
Or at least I think that's the one; my records are not as comprehensive as I could wish If have pieced together several disparate records and I'm sure that's right, ABJF_2013_3 is a 'bracteate' nivalis even though we did not record that feature in the year that it was found. It's one of my top candidates for a snowdrop that could be named "John Finch". I mentioned this to John in an email in 2016 and suggested that it could be named for him but he never responded to my suggestion; modest guy that he was. If it really is the same snowdrop then he never said that he had been showing it off the previous year; perhaps he did not remember. And I had forgotten about our exchange of emails on the subject last year so than you so much for reminding me, Jennie.
Is there any way we could trace this pot, do you think?
-
I'm going to miss him , it was a friendship you could just pick up when you next met them .
I never met John, but I was standing a few feet away when Alan Street took this photograph. I thought that he looked very fit, possibly a firefighter or something military. Should have introduced myself to the group but didn't and now it is history.
-
See http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11447.msg295603#msg295603 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11447.msg295603#msg295603)
-
I am hoping to hear from John's Aunt Doreen , so that we can pass on our condolences to his family, especially his parents.
-
It's one of my top candidates for a snowdrop that could be named "John Finch". I mentioned this to John in an email in 2016 and suggested that it could be named for him but he never responded to my suggestion; modest guy that he was.
Unfortunately I met John only once, when he visited Oirlich. All the more I enjoyed his contributions to the Galanthus thread, which were always as informative as polite. Especially I remember a very touching pic of this heavy athlete cowering in front of a tiny snowdrop, obviously admiring the small plant.
Alan, I think the snowdrop You suggest is an excellent choice to do this fine fellow justice.
-
I am hoping to hear from John's Aunt Doreen , so that we can pass on our condolences to his family, especially his parents.
That would be very good, Maggi. Short of writing to the address that John lived at, I have no idea how to get in touch with his family. It would be good if they could be made aware of the sentiments expressed here.
If anyone reading this did not know John, they may still have seen and remember him as he always wore some sort of military-style camouflage wear. With this attire and his toned physique he did indeed look like "a firefighter or something military" - whereas in fact he was a computer programmer.
-
I am John's Aunty Doreen. I can assure everyone that their messages are being read and appreciated by John's parents Elsie and John Finch at this difficult time. if you wish, you can contact us via Maggi.
-
Thank you, Doreen. You must all be in shock at John's passing.
-
Hello Dorren , please let John's family know he's was loved by all in the snowdrop world . I hope to be at the service to say my goodbyes :'(
-
In tears.
Before John was 'in to' snowdrops he was a regular contributor to 'tropical' plant fora.
I have let the two current boards know and linked back to here.
Threads on GOTE (http://www.growingontheedge.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10479) and Hardy Tropicals (http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26412) will cover memories from his times in tropical plants.
After his partner Ian died in 2008 we saw less of him in 'tropical' circles, but I met him most years at the RHS snowdrop shows.
He was younger than me. If I'd been more diligent and noticed this thread before today I would have organised to get to the funeral tomorrow. Such a generous spirit deserves a proper send off.
Chad.
-
We were very sorry at the loss of John. He was one of our earliest galanthophile contacts. We particularly remember a visit he made with many other snowdrop friends in early March 2013 to our National Collection at our old home and which he gave a full account of in his blog. Here is our own photo of the occasion. We shall miss him.
Margaret and David MacLennan
-
He had a good send off , chapel was packed . He was so loved . His parents and family are all beautiful people you can see where John got his love from and his gardening skills . So sad to meet them under such circumstances. The representatives from snowdrop/fern world did us all proud. We will forever miss you Kent gardener , gone much too soon :'( :'( :'( :'(
-
I am so grateful that some of us were able to be there, Emma. Thank you.
-
Today we said our final goodbyes to our friend John Finch aka Kentgardener. Many snowdrop, fern and Jungle plant friends turned up from far and wide.
We found out a little more about John during the service which made us smile. Apparently he's a great little dancer after a few pints, he worked out in the gym in London with Jimmy Somerville of Bronski Beat and Communards fame and they were good friends. He was also very good at glass art and made the lovely 3 dimensional wall art in his garden that I always admired. Via his work he attended the Queens Garden Party in 2014 and took his dad.
After the service we all went back to his parents house and garden where they laid on a great spread. His parents are lovely kind people - just like John. We could also see where John got his love of gardening - their garden is beautiful and it now contains many of The nick knacks from Johns garden placed beautifully here and there. I took a few pics of them below.
I also found out the fish were all transported in large bags of water and are now safely rehomed :)
It was a very emotional and sad day and everyone still seemed in shock from his sudden death. It was surreal to be gathered with his friends and family without him there. He will be very sadly missed but fondly remembered by so many people whose lives he touched. I will never forget him :'(
(edit by maggi to rotate a picture)
-
Thanks Emma, Jennie et al, good to see the forum was well represented so far South! We never got to see the dancing! Obviously the apple didn't fall far from the tree gardening wise, and good to know the fish are safely rehomed. He touched so many lives and will always be remembered.
-
This picture is from the front cover of the Order of Service at John's funeral; I'm sure his family will not mind me posting it here.
[attachimg=1]
Something else people may wish to know:
"Donations if desired, to the British Heart Foundation in John's memory may be sent to the Funeral Directors:
Arthur C Towners Ltd., 1 Albert Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1DG"
As Emma & Jennie have stated and shown, the snowdrop community was well-represented at John's funeral. I think his family appreciated this, indicating, as it did, how treasured he was.
Earlier this year I went on a snowdrop trip and then created a blog about it. Earlier this week I was sending out snowdrop bulbs as gifts to a few of my friends. I hadn't realised until I thought about it recently but these were both good ideas/practices that I picked-up from John.
-
Sad news.
I have never met him, only got some snowdrops from this generous man.
Such great gardeners wont last, as we all do, but their influence will grow beyond their lives.
-
I showed my mum the photo of us at johns parents house and she said we all look slimmer without all our winter layers and woolly hats on .
-
Very shocked when I found out this morning, he was always great fun to be around & when he came to the mini meets here arrived with boxes of stuff to give away. a kind & generous soul, RIP.
-
Gert-Jan van der Kolk, who was working with John to distribute some of his plants, has continued to help get John's precious plants out to those who will know how to grow and treasure them. John' parents, John and Elsie, have sent this message via Gert-Jan......
"Will you please pass on our sincere thanks to all on the Internet and in person who made our pain a little less. Thank you all."
Thank goodness our good wishes to John's family have at least made things even a little easier for them at this very sad time.
-
Direct from John and Elsie Finch:
" Will you please pass on our sincere grateful thanks to the members of The Scottish Rock Garden Club who attended, had John in their thoughts, could not attend and/or posted words that comforted us and helped to ease our pain."
It is good to know that we have been able in some small way to help John's family and loved ones at this time.
-
Embarrassingly, I've only just seen this... I was away with little internet for a large chunk of June. Rather shocked. I only got to know him a little, but he was one of the first forumists I met at a London show years ago... a really nice chap. Glad some of you were able to attend the service, and that his family knew how many people liked him.
-
Hi, my name is Sam & I found this forum while looking for more information about John. I recently bought the house he lived in, & I just wanted to pop by and show you the snowdrops that have started coming through in the garden. Hopefully there will be more soon, but I’m not sure how many he had actually in the ground rather than pots.
(edit by maggi to rotate the photos)
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
Hi Sam, welcome to the forum.
John was a popular member of the forum and a dear friend who is sadly missed it will be good to see his beloved snowdrops thriving in your hands, thanks for sharing them here.
-
Welcome Sam - as Ian says, it's good to know John's garden is in the hands of someone with an interest in plants.
John was a great guy and is often in our thoughts.
( I rotated the photos for you - sometimes the upload returns them to the original orientation of the camera )
-
Thank you both, and thanks for rotating the pictures!
I really want the garden to be lovely, it's very overgrown at the moment as you can probably imagine, I moved in in November and what with doing the house up, I haven't really had a chance to go out there. My nan is a very keen gardener, so when the weather starts to perk up a bit we'll get started on it. I loved seeing the photos in this thread of how the garden used to look, it's actually quite similar to what I was envisioning for it. Will keep you updated with John's flowers :)
-
Hi Sam; welcome. John's garden had an unusual combination of snowdrops and other winter flowers combined with tropical-looking plants that provided the summer interest. If some of these hardy tropicals have survived you will some really interesting things next summer.
Your first picture shows a clump of Galanthus elwesii. I'm sure they will be a named cultivar but I cannot tell which; post a picture of the flowers when they are open. I believe John's aunt took a lot of the potted snowdrops in John's collection but I bet you'll still find some treasures that were left behind.
-
So lovely to see those pictures and to know they are in your safe hands Sam - John was a lovely man
-
Sam,
As spring moves into summer John's 'tropical' interests will show through.
He posted on Hardy Tropicals (https://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/) and a bit on GOTE (http://www.growingontheedge.net/) for those interests.
He is sadly missed by the 'Tropical' clan as well.
Chad.