A Streatham Society Report, by Judy Harris
At the Lambeth Horticultural Society’s prize giving event in October 2024, Tony Pizzoferro, retiring Chair, was honoured for his 40 years service to the Society. He was presented with a Royal Horticultural Society Recognition Certificate.
Tony is well known to everyone connected to the LHS, to visitors to their events, particularly the flower tent at the Lambeth Show and, of course, their Trading Hut near
Crown Point, off Knights Hill, where he has volunteered at least every weekend since it was established.
There is no area of the LHS which has not benefitted considerably from his organisation, advice and cheerful welcome.
Tony has also been a member of the Streatham Society for many years. However, I first met him when he was a quiet little boy at Fenstanton Junior School where I taught. Who would have thought this child who lived on the adjacent council estate would later achieve so much in our community?
I later met him in the early days of Lambeth Show’s flower tent, adjacent to that of Lambeth’s amenity tent with stalls and displays from local groups and organisations, including that of the Streatham Society.
Tony’s early estate home had a small garden and both his parents were keen gardeners, regularly bringing home plants for the garden. Thus Tony developed his love of gardening at an early age.
He was originally known to us as Tony Farrow, his Italian family having anglicised their name on migrating to England from Amalfi after WWII. At his marriage he reverted to the original name so his sons now carry on the name, recognising their Italian heritage. Until his retirement, Tony was a popular deputy headteacher at St Leonard’s Primary School, Streatham, where he introduced gardening to many children. In 2013, to celebrate the school’s 200 year history, the Streatham Society published St. Leonard’s Church of England Primary School – A Proud Heritage 1813-2013 compiled by Tony and John W Brown (still available from the Streatham Society). This very well-researched and profusely illustrated history was launched at a special celebration at the school. I was privileged to attend this event where two pupils showed me the school nature garden and pond, created by children under Tony’s supervision.
Following Tony’s retirement he increased his LHS activities but it is now time for him to slow down and hand over to others. Happily he still visits the Trading Hut when possible to help, advise and socialise.
Well done, Tony!
Streatham Society News 259 Winter 2024 – 2025