Page 45 - Simply Veg Issue 3 2019

In memory of Eric Craik
It is with great sadness, that I have to report the sudden passing of Eric Craik. Eric sadly died on Tuesday 9th April
after a short illness. Eric was a great character.....resourceful in so many ways with his various inventions to aid his veg growing success, which were plentiful. Also, a bit of an inventor, with his famous mouse traps. Eric was a top grower
and well known throughout the country. There wasn’t a National Championship went by where Eric didn’t get few tickets (including winning the DT Brown Sebuto Globe beet last year). His long leeks were well known at the Harrogate show as well as his potatoes, mini collections and 6 veg collections to name but a few. A truly great grower, Eric shared his ideas and methods, culminating in him giving a talk at the Scottish Branch Seminar in 2013
which was unforgettable and he also hosted a garden visit just last year. We will all miss Eric greatly. Let’s hope that he and our dear friend Peter Clark are now having a good old chat up there on the best way to grow collections.
Thank you
Allan!
As you will have seen in our AGM report, Allan Manning, Our Scottish Vice Chair has stood down owing to him retiring and moving “back home” South of the Border.
Whilst still remaining a member of the Scottish Branch, we would like to thank Allan for his many years of support as a Committee member, Vice Chair and friend throughout the years. Allan’s input at our meetings was always frank, honest and quite often funny and we will miss his banter. Allan is still, of course, going to be growing vegetables. He has already got his new allotment prepared for some show veg, but he is also looking forward to growing a wider variety of veg for the kitchen too......and maybe some more fantastic Pot Leeks and even more prize winning Tomatoes!
Thanks Allan and good luck to you and Marion in your move.
Allan Manning busy in the greenhouse
Allan’s winners at the Scottish Branch Champs 2018
Royal Caledonian Horticultural
Society Awards
March this year saw two of our members be awarded with special awards by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and our good friend, George Anderson (Beechgrove Garden) was there to present them.
Firstly George Harrison, was presented with a Certificate of Merit in recognition
for his highly regarded and significant contribution to horticulture and Gardening
in Scotland. George’s was nominated by his local community where he does a significant amount of work including; tending the Church garden and numerous tubs and flower displays around his local area as well as providing expertise in growing vegetables. George also sits in to help with question
and answer sessions within his community. George has been a member of Currie Horticultural Society Committee since 1983 and has been their Show Organiser for many years. George is also an NVS Judge and has judged at the Scottish Championships on 4 occasions as well as locally.
Secondly, George Duncan, age 92,
was awarded a Lifetime Achievement
Award. This is a brand-new award for the Royal Caledonian Hort. Society and was a beautiful crystal plate. George starting work
in Craigflower gardens, near Torryburn in
Fife after his National Service. George then became head gardener at Dalmeny, where
he worked until his retirement. George, who joined the Scottish branch in 1976 soon became a committee member which he did for 35 years. He still grows and shows veg, flowers, shrubs bulbs and honey and was always giving talks and hosting visits to his garden. Over the years George won many
top awards with his vegetables at Scottish and National level, and just as importantly
he supported all the local village shows. At Harrogate in 1989 George contributed his own personal exhibits to the Scottish Branch board of the annual Inter- Branch competition, helping Scotland achieve first place.
Many congratulations to our talented George’s, well done!
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