Following the sad news of the death of John Humphris the PGG received many tributes which can also be seen in full in the July Journal.
The PGG traineeship is obviously just a part of John’s legacy within the Guild but one that has made a huge difference to so many. Former trainees were among those who contacted Alan on hearing of John’s passing – as you will see from the PGG tributes on pages 24-25 of the July Journal. All are here in full. John’s legacy is there for all to see and the traineeship is being taken forward with renewed vigour. It’s in good hands.
PGG tributes sent to Chairman Alan Mason:
I was saddened to hear the news of the death of John and wanted to share my gratitude to him and the PGG traineeship scheme.
John was instrumental in getting me on to the scheme in September 2010. I was a bit of a ‘wild card’ as I didn’t have as much experience as the other candidates, but John believed in me and championed my cause. It felt like the last chance for me as I was in my early 30s and had failed to get on to the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme. I knew I wanted to be a gardener, but was struggling to find a route in and the PGG traineeship proved the perfect way in.
After my interview for the traineeship John kept in touch with me; the candidates with more experience were placed but he kept trying to find somewhere for me and eventually found Thenford. After that I spent a year in The Savill & Valley Gardens and then Abbotswood House in Stow-on-the-Wold. John’s sage advice to me was that it was up to me to get the most out of my placements and I made sure I did. He was also instrumental in getting me my first job after the traineeship at Crichel House, Dorset. I was there for eight years which as far as John was concerned was about the right amount of time for a gardening apprenticeship (seven years!)
I know I thanked John many times for all that he and the rest of the PGG traineeship team have done for me and I hope he knew how grateful I was and still am for his dedication to, enthusiasm for and perseverance with the scheme. I will always be grateful to John and the PGG traineeship for giving me my start and nurturing my career.
I worked with John after his retirement for about eight years on and off, and I will never forget his generosity in sharing his knowledge with me as a career-changer.
John very much supported me at all times. He was responsible for giving me a wonderful career in horticulture. I wouldn’t be the gardener I am today without his guidance and investment in me when I started the traineeship. John would visit the trainees with us on a regular basis.
He always took a real, genuine interest in their development, and was a huge supporter and advocate. I know they were all very fond of him, and appreciated his support on a personal, as well as professional level.
A sad day for the horticultural world.
I am sorry for my late response to this one. I was really saddened to hear about the news of John’s passing. He was a mentor to me during the PGG traineeship and continued to take an interest after I finished.
Colin would have been so saddened to hear of John’s passing, he held him in such high esteem.
I have memories of John organising a conference on the Isle of Wight to Ventnor, the Cotswolds and to Manchester Lyme Park. These were early in my membership. Now probably 24 years!
He was a great person to speak with. I first met John and Jean in 1988 when I first joined the Guild; both Jean and John gave me a friendly welcome. Over the years John was a wonderful influence for me giving advice when I needed it, with a friendly ear. It was a privilege to have known such a kind, thoughtful man who had such an influence on professional gardeners and the horticultural profession.
I well remember his passion for the traineeship.
It’s with a sad heart that I contact you. I was one of John’s trainees back in the day over 25 years ago! I have been Head Gardener of a couple of gardens since completing my time.
John never stopped encouraging me over the course of the traineeship and he was always happy to hear what I was doing. I eventually became a full member of the PGG after so many years of ‘student discount’ and kept in touch with John, who remained very helpful with whatever I needed advice with and happy to know I was finding my way in horticulture. I owe him a lot for what I have achieved and who I am now, and I feel very lost at this moment with the news of his passing. The news came just after I visited the Garden House for the first time in years and all the memories flooded back. I should have given John a call weeks ago to catch up.
John had a very full life and achieved amazing things including the PGG, which will keep on giving to the world of horticulture. I’m in a position now to be able to help others along in my small way and continue my journey in my profession. He will always be in my mind to nag me to do my best and laugh at my stupid worries. Thank you, John, and I’m so grateful to have known you.
I had known John for a long time – I would say more than forty years. I came across him in the very early days of the PGG when I had dealings with him when I was chairman of the HHA Gardens Committee. I recall he had been or was Head Gardener at Borde Hill a garden I know well and which has had quite a rejuvenation recently. John was indeed a great horticulturalist – I had forgotten he received the VMH which is very high. Of course, his great contribution to the PGG was the training scheme. So many young gardeners will be grateful to him for that.
I did a year working for John at Sutton Place which was very formative in my development as a gardener.
I recently watched a talk he did on the gardens at Sutton Place and his professionalism and knowledge shone through. John’s son Andrew (at Parham) reminds me very much of his dad.
John Humphris was a wonderful Head Gardener and inspired me in so many ways.
John would have been bursting with pride to see the latest Journal with three articles all written by trainees.
Such sad news. When I first joined the PGG back in the early 80s he was always so kind and encouraging to us ‘young ones’ along with Brian Hutchinson and George Lovatt who gardened a quarry garden in Shropshire. He was funny too.
He really has left a fantastic legacy.
So sad to hear the news about John.
I am so sad to read about the passing of this lovely man. What a wonderful contribution he made to the Guild. It’s fitting that his legacy will live on in the trainees who he mentored through their training.
He was always great company, a fount of horticultural knowledge and so encouraging to anyone wanting to further their gardening careers.
A real gentleman and a great role model for us all. He will be missed. John Humphris was indeed a remarkable man. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him.
Very sad news indeed, end of an era and a hard act to follow.
I only met John the once, during a joint PGG/HBGBS trainee residency; we went to Arundel Castle and Parham house. The event was bloody brilliant and as a first step into horticulture filled me with energy for the industry. This was over 15 years ago yet I remember John being very generous with his time and I remember the nurturing energy he had even now, which for me is unusual.
This is very sad news… John was a lovely man… I have had the pleasure to work with him on a few projects over the years and it was a privilege to have done so.
I will remember him with the greatest respect and as one devoted to the PGG.
We will certainly strive to continue the valuable work John started with the PGG.
It was John taking a punt on me and accepting me onto the traineeship that changed my life and career path. It was a seminal moment in my life sat at interview in London in front of John and the lovely Fiona. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and experiences that the traineeship brought me and I owe it all to John. He was such a marvellous man.
John Humphris gave us a fantastic talk on one of the days with huge knowledge and encouragement for our future careers. He came across as a very kind person always willing to chat, and even about 10 years down the line he remembered me at a PGG meeting. He remains someone I always looked up to, and I’m sure he will be greatly missed, but he has made such a difference especially to the education and encouragement of students in horticulture.
I’ll not forget the first time I visited Borde Hill and was asking the receptionist about something and she told me to ask the Head Gardener. She pointed across the room and said, ‘Oh there he is now!’
Sad day! He was such a nice man and so professional. Welcomed me when I attended my first PGG visit many years ago and always had time for everyone.
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