Lost friend - "KentGardener" is no more

[annew]

Very sad to hear this, I'll miss his postings. Too young to go.

[Sean Fox]

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 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

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

[Diane Whitehead]

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.

[Tim Ingram]

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.

[Olive Mason]

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

[art600]

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.

[emma T]

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 

[kentish_lass]

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 

[fermi de Sousa]

Very sad news indeed.
I always enjoyed his posts on the Forum.
Much too young!
cheers
fermi

[chasw]

Just heard that John's,Aunt will be looking after his snowdrop collection ,which is good news

[johnw]

Thanks for that Charles, a bit of good news on a very sad day.

john

[Brian Ellis]

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!

[fleurbleue]

Very sad news  He was so generous and friendly...

[johnw]

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