Page 59 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2021

Obituary –
Phil Lampert
Back in the 1980s when I first started taking an interest
in exhibiting vegetables, Tibberton (Gloucestershire) was our main ‘local’ Show, being just 5 miles from my home in Newent.
It was, and still is, a typical village show, held in a huge
marquee with all the usual classes and
side stalls outside. Medwyn Williams commented on this when he judged the Show a few years ago. The Chairman at the time was a man named Phil Lampert. There were quite a few of us from Newent who used to exhibit and John Taylor was the first person I knew to produce the long carrot, which turned out to be the main attraction at the Show and, if I remember correctly, won the Best Exhibit. Sadly, John is no longer with us, having died a couple of years ago at a good age.
Although Phil Lampert grew beautiful flowers, he also had a keen interest in growing parsnips, but never seemed to quite get to the standard of the ‘Newent Boys’
as he called us. There was always a lot of banter between us all, with no resentment of who won the prizes and who didn’t.
In the late 1980s I moved away and went to live in Dorset so my days with Tibberton came to an end ..... for a few years anyway. Moving back to Newent 10 years later, I resumed my interest in exhibition growing, particularly parsnips. When Tibberton Show came around I decided to have another go to see if I had lost my touch. The first person I saw when I walked into the marquee was Phil Lampert, proudly exhibiting his much- improved parsnips. One look at me and
he said in his proud Welsh accent, “B****y h***, Mike Davies. If I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have bothered!” The same old banter started again, all those years later. Phil was no longer Chairman, but his support and dedication to the Society remained until his death in December at the age of 85. He would often come and visit – just to see how my parsnips were doing.
Phil was a retired Primary School Headteacher, much respected by pupils, parents and staff alike. He always knew the names of every child in the school and never forgot them, even after years of retirement.
Phil’s face will be sadly missed at the Tibberton Show and my family and I send his family and many friends our sincere condolences.
Obituary – Brian Rance FNVS
We are very sad to announce the death of Brian Rance, a stalwart member
of the Bucks DA Committee and the Midlands Branch Committee. Brian caught the veg growing bug and joined the NVS as a Southern Branch member, soon after winning the long carrot class at his first attempt at big time showing. He then became a Midlands Branch member in 1992 when the boundaries were changed and from there on in, he attended and exhibited at most of the Branch Championships and Nationals.
In 2009 he was instrumental in helping set up the Bucks DA and was the face
of the National Vegetable Society on the stand at the Bucks County Show. Prior to this he joined the Midlands Branch Committee as the rep. for the Bucks DA and was treasurer for the next 10 years of the Bucks DA, but recent illness forced
him to hand over the reins to a successor. Brian was a qualified NVS judge for several years and has been actively judging local shows and NVS shows. He was nominated by the Midlands Branch to be a judge at the Nationals in Dundee which unfortunately did not take place. He was particularly good in the large onion class and succeeded in winning the National when it was held at Dorchester. He was a regular at talks and seminars. particularly Medwyn’s weekend in early November, only missing 2 or 3 in the last 20 years.
Brian was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and will be sadly missed by all his Bucks DA, Midlands & NVS colleagues. Our condolences go to his wife, Pat, his family and friends.
John Branham, FNVS
Brian, (right) with his good friend John Branham at one of his well-known Bucks DA displays
Obituary –
Wilf McCrady FNVS
It is with regret I have to inform you of the death of Wilf
McCrady, who passed away on the 25th November,
2020. Bernard and I were invited to the funeral as long-
standing friends, and to represent the Midland Branch of the NVS, which we duly did.
Wilf joined the Society in 1989 and became a committee member, both of the Branch and the North Midlands D.A., representing both at local shows around Staffordshire, the DA and the Branch shows. Wilf's loves were his sweet peas, chrysanthemums [sprays mainly], onions and shallots, Manchester United and his family, (not necessarily in that order!!), until his ill health forced him to cut back significantly.
One of our fondest memories was in 2015 when Wilf and Dorothy, who we lost 2 years ago, came with us to Dundee to the National Championships, which we all enjoyed. We also managed to fit in a visit to Glamis Castle, where we all enjoyed a wander around the gardens.
Wilf leaves behind 2 daughters, a son and numerous grandchildren.
Pat Brown, FNVS
Mike Davies, FNVS
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