The death is announced of Phil Phillips 15th August 2014

[Maggi Young]

Friday 15th August 2014

Today the alpine plant world has lost a wonderful character. Phil Phillips died this afternoon.
Gwen will find the loss of her beloved Phil very hard to bear: we send her every good wish as we express our sympathy to her, daughters Carol and Wendy and all their family.

There will be many of you who remember the super talks given by this dedicated duo who travelled widely  to study alpine and rock garden plants in the wild and who recorded their trips methodically with superb photography and meticulously chronicled notes.

A little while ago Phil and Gwen decided to use the internet to share their knowledge and experiences with others. The purpose of their website was to "leave a selection from our library, not only as a record of an absorbing and wonderful hobby enjoyed by two absolute amateurs, but hopefully for the pleasure of other interested enthusiasts".
Their website, "the Phillips Wildflower Gallery"  overseen by their grand-daughter, Kristen Repsher is justly appreciated by plant lovers.



While it  has been my sad duty to announce the passing of Phil Phillips I am pleased to be able to temper this sad news with a much happier announcement of a future plan of Mr and Mrs  Phillips in collaboration with the SRGC.

Gwen and Phil were always more than generous in assisting anyone with questions about routes and plans for making trips to enjoy plants in habitat and to this end they made plans with us to further share their immense portfolio of information  in the future.

In association with their old friend Mike Ireland, I have been privileged to discuss with Phil and Gwen a project to develop an archive of their photos and writings which will be prepared and added to the SRGC website.  The SRGC will continue the policy of the Phillips in sharing information freely on the website. Links will be established to the Wildflower site, which will remain.
This archive  of the  Phillips Wildflower material will take some time to process for the site and while it is sad that Phil has passed away before any of the project has appeared onsite we are so pleased that he was assured of the continuance of these plans and knew how valuable we considered the archive to be.

Phil had been in poor health for some time and sadly Gwen is not keeping well either. It was just wonderful for Mike and myself to be able to talk with them about our plans and hear their excitement about the project.

We send Gwen every good wish as we express our condolences to her and the family at this sad and difficult time.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

[David Nicholson]

Another wonderful Plantsman passes on.

[ranunculus]

We returned to the UK today to the very sad news about the passing of two leviathans of our alpine gardening world - David Mowle and Phil Phillips have been stalwarts of our beloved hobby for more years than I care to remember.  We, here at the East Lancashire Group of the AGS, have enjoyed superb presentations by both of these remarkable gentlemen - and their names are always mentioned (both here and abroad) when lecturing legends are discussed.  Phil's (and Gwen's) superb images have served (and will continue to serve) as the benchmark for every aspiring alpine photographer, while David's impeccable research and faultless investigations into the composition and effectiveness of various soils and composts were greatly appreciated by horticulturalists of every persuasion.
The alpine world has lost two of it's most respected and admired practitioners.
Our condolences to Gwen and both families at this sad and difficult time.

Wonderful to know that the Phillip's image archive will be preserved and remain accessible to enthusiasts both new and old.
Congratulations to the SRGC for their continuing initiative and drive.
David will, of course, be immortalised in the AGS video that was released a number of years ago.  Is it not time that that particular series of videos be archived on You Tube and even more created to highlight the talents of established and up and coming alpine stars?

[Mike Ireland]

Phil Phillips funeral service will be held at the Grimsby Crematorium on Wednesday 27th August at 2:20pm.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you for this information, Mike. 

The location of the Grimsby Crematorium is  Weelsby Avenue, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN32 0BA for those able to attend the service.

[Maggi Young]

Funeral Notice from the Grimsby Telegraph

George Stephen (Phil) PHILLIPS
Peacefully on Friday 15th August, 2014 in Waltham, Phil aged 93 years, sadly passed away.

Beloved husband of Gwendoline, loving dad to Carol and Wendy, dearest father-in-law to Brian and Wayne, precious poppa to Kristin and Philip. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Service at the Grimsby Crematorium on Wednesday 27th August, 2014 at 2.20pm. Formal dress not required.

Family flowers only please, by request. Donations in Phil's memory may be sent to St. Andrews Hospice, Peaks Lane, Grimsby DN32 9RP or Scottish Rock Garden Club www.srgc.net

(Enquiries Telephone Mashfords Funeral Service, Cleethorpes 01472-200004 )

We are deeply moved and grateful that the SRGC has been chosen by his family for possible donations in Phil's name, in recognition of the future Phillips Archive.


http://www.wildplantgallery.co.uk/