We are very sorry indeed to announce the death of Bob Tydeman earlier this month.
Bob, pictured above left, awarding a prize at this year’s Spring Flower Show, is perhaps best known to LHS members as our Show Secretary. He fulfilled that role for many years with a calm and kindly professionalism. Only last month, he was running the Late Summer Show 2025 with his usual flair. He was so exceptional that we only really appreciated his expertise when he had to step back.
But Bob also played many other parts.
With a background in finance, he played a key role in committee affairs, including our transition to charitable status. He spent many hours dealing with banks and HMRC. He became the membership secretary to fill a vacant role and took on mundane but necessary tasks such as organising the printing of show shedules, newsletters, membership and outings literature.
He was often at the Hut helping out, usually on Saturdays. Behind the scenes, he was in charge of the annual order of seeds and earlier this year, despite being terminally ill, was helping to shift sacks of compost delivered by pallet. During the summer, he would take home and nurse unsold bedding plants during the week. He attended many local community events throughout the year, helping to man the pop up Hut.
Bob was an avid gardener, generous with his knowledge and time, with novice and experienced gardeners alike. He wanted to share his love of gardening with everyone. He had an allotment and grew flowers as well as vegetables. It was a rare year when Bob’s narcissi and tulips did not win a medal at the Spring show. He will be awarded the David Shaw Cup posthumously on 22 October, as winner of most points in the Fruit Section at our Late Summer Show in September.
We send our deepest condolensces to Jill and Bob’s family and friends. He was an exceptional man and we are so glad to have known him.