Ian Simpson
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Ian Simpson accepting an award with Kennedys colleagues
The funeral of Ian Simpson was held last week attended by his family and former colleagues from Kennedys Garden Centres.
For nearly 40 years he worked at Hare Hatch Garden Centre on the Floral Mile between Maidenhead and Reading. First it was for Waterers but for much of his time it was owned by Kennedys Garden Centres, until the group was sold to Wyevale in 1998.
For most of that time he was the garden centre manager. A commanding manager, he led from the front and expected 110 percent from everyone who he worked with. It was not unusual for him and his staff to be still working at 10pm, only leaving when stock had been put out and cashing up done.
There are many in horticulture, who left college and started their careers as trainees at Hare Hatch. One of them, Alan Jones remembers, “Ian had a real sense of humour and a very infectious laugh, but could be quite intimidating. He was one of the best managers I ever worked for.
"Any sales rep who thought they could just pop in for a quick order, was very much mistaken. He wouldn't let them leave without either getting a good discount on his order, free stock or at a minimum, a good tidy up of their stand! Even Managing Directors would think twice before entering the store.”
Ian practically lived at the GC, taking very few days off over the years. His children later said, if they were ever looking for their father, they firstly would try the garden centre, then the Fire Station and lastly his allotments.
After he left the garden centre, he vowed never to set foot there again, and he never did!
For 23 years Ian was a part time retained firefighter at Wargrave rising to Leading Firefighter. The highlight of his career was climbing with a hose to the roof of Windsor Castle in the disastrous fire of 1992.
Ian was very community minded and was a dedicated member of the Round Table in the 1980’s 90’s and before moving on to the Twyford 41 club - raising money for charity and holding the bonfire carnival.
Ian, who died within weeks of his 80th birthday, leaves two sons, a daughter and 5 grandchildren.