Elizabeth ( Bette) Ivey, Honorary President SRGC 1933 - 2022.

[Maggi Young]

The Honorary President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, Mrs Bette Ivey, died on 4th September 2022

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 Presidents past and present at the 75th Anniversary party of SRGC at RBGE in 2008

Bette Ivey and her late husband Bill were members of the SRGC for longer than most of us have memories. They ran the Ayrshire Group, they instigated the first Discussion Weekends and were the inspiration for many others who benefitted from their great advice on growing sometimes very tricky plants. They encouraged folk to exhibit at shows, to go on flower holidays and generally gain enjoyment and enrichment from plants, gardens and nature.

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Three presidents at RBGE 2008 – Ian Christie and Bette Ivey flank AGS President Frank Tindall. 

More than fifty years ago, Bette was instrumental in supporting the first Northumberland alpine show.  Eric Watson, first show secretary, and also a Past President of the SRGC, along with his fellows, organised the show and asked SRGC and AGS members to support it. Bette travelled with husband Bill from Dalry in Ayrshire to Northumberland, not an easy drive 50 years ago. Henry Tod, one of the judges, had a special medal made for the first Best in Show. Bette won with Cassiope ‘George Taylor’. It was called the NEARGC Medal. [NEARGC is the acronym for the North East Alpine and Rock Garden Club, which until very recently was a joint SRGC /AGS group. Bette has a unique reminder of the show which for 50 years has encouraged and strengthened bonds of friendship between members from both sides of Hadrian’s Wall.

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Judging at Perth

As the years went on, Bette herself became a judge at alpine shows and never failed to encourage beginners either in person or in her many talks. Even after the death of her dear husband Bill, she never wavered from her affection to the Club. 

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Another line-up of Presidents in 2018

Bette had, of course, been much involved in the organisation of many of the SRGC/AGS conferences which were held every ten years.
Bette, who incidentally was the same age as the SRGC,  was SRGC President in 1993, when the Club celebrated its diamond Jubilee – a particular highlight was the attendance at the Discussion weekend that year in St. Andrews, of founder member, Bill Mackenzie.   Bette had always been keen to travel around the various SRGC Groups and during her presidency she attended events around the country and abroad– this continued to an even greater extent when she became our Honorary President, following the death of her dear friend Dr Alf Evans.  Seldom has a Club president been so active in getting out and about to the membership and beyond to evangelise about the Club and Alpine plants.  She most enjoyed meeting people and bringing them together.
 
I fondly remember the times we spent together – laughing, teaching me about the pleasures of malt whisky and shopping, oh, the shopping!!

For many years Bette, her best friends Audrey Leach and Kath Rimmer travelled on holiday together and they were latterly joined by Helen Greenwood.  Sometimes the three “Supremes” travelled with Carole (Kath’s daughter) and Ian Bainbridge – what uproarious trips those must have been!

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 Bette and Bill Mackenzie cutting the Diamond Jubilee cake in 1993

It is hard to know whether her proudest day was to be made SRGC Honorary President or the attainment of her only son, Gilmour, "taking Silk" and becoming a QC!

What is sure, is that Bette, diminutive woman that she was, leaves a massive hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved her and we are all beneficiaries of the enrichment she brought to the SRGC.

We send fond condolences to Gilmour, his wife Mhairi and all the family.
Funeral arrangements will be posted later.

[Maggi Young]

In the first photo in the post above, the SRGC presidents are, left to right - Ian Christie, Sandy Leven, Ian Young, Bette Ivey,  Glassford Sprunt, Ian Bainbridge, Peter Semple and Harley Milne.

In "Judging at Perth", we see Ian Young, Carole Bainbridge, Bette Ivey, Elspeth Mackintosh and Ian Christie.
 
For the second line-up of Presidents in 2018   - Sandy Leven, Julia Corden, Ian Christie, Carole Bainbridge, Glassford Sprunt, Liz Mills, Bette Ivey  and David Rankin.

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Bette at Aberdeen Show with Peg Crosland in 2007.

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 Bette with Julia Corden and Matt Topsfield

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Bette with Ken East  at a Discussion Weekend in  2010

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Ian Christie with Bette Ivey

[Maggi Young]

Some photos of Bette judging at shows at a Discussion Weekend and in Aberdeen........

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The three Supremes .....
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Kath Rimmer, Bette  Ivey  and  Audrey Leach at an SRGC Discussion Weekend.

[Maggi Young]

Now for some photos of Bette's garden in Cupar......

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 Bette - hiding her light, it seems!!

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[Maggi Young]

More plants in the garden of Bette - from an SRGC garden visit in 2008.......

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[Maggi Young]

 The Notice Board area, where these announcements are made formally is not open for posts so this thread has been started for your tributes ......https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19053.0

[Maggi Young]

Carole Bainbridge has sent these details for anyone wishing to attend Bette's funeral........

Bette’s funeral will be held on  Wednesday 21st September at 1pm at

Brewsterwells Crematorium, Lathockar, St Andrews, KY9 1JF.

Thereafter back to 56 Tarvit Ave, Cupar, KY15 5BW for refreshments.

It will be a "non-service" ceremony. The crematorium is about 8 miles from Cupar. It is between Peat Inn and St Andrews at Higham Toll junction where the B940 crosses the A915.  ( Satnav/google will be well advised.
https://brewsterwellscrematorium.co.uk/how-to-find-brewsterwells-crematorium/
You can google "Higham Toll Crematorium" and get the same place.)

 Gilmour, Bette's son,  has asked Carole for an indication of how many people might attend, so  it would be helpful if anyone intending to be there could let Carole know, either by phone or email.

Phone: 01557 814141 Mob: 07767 804 380

Email: greenscenedesign@hotmail.com

 
Many thanks,

Carole Bainbridge

[Maggi Young]

Ian Christie has sent this poem by Alma Tadema, which was read today at Bette's funeral:

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