In memory of Colin Campbell

Colin, who lived in Jameson Road, died on Friday morning at the age of 58.

His friends and fellow gardeners at the allotments he loved were stunned to discover he knew he had just a few months left because of terminal illness.

Colin helped set up the Bexhill Neighbourhood Gardeners allotments on Ingrams Farm four years ago - at that time there was a nationwide BBC campaign to encourage local schemes but when Government funding dried up, the Bexhill Neighbourhood Gardeners picked up their hoes and carried on.

Co-founder Alvin Culzac said: "He was very knowledgeable about organic gardening which was his passion. He didn't want us to take anything to landfill - everything had to be composted and recycled. As a result we are zero contributors to landfill. For Colin it was all about feeding people...he was very much a community-minded man, always trying to get people up here and helping people out.

"He is going to be a hard act to follow."

Colin was a carpenter by trade and his family live mainly in Dorset. He grew up in Cyprus where his father was Harbour Master having been in the Merchant Navy first, and the family also travelled to New Guinea. Colin moved to Bexhill because his mother was living here for a time, and he also enjoyed travel, spending time in a Kibbutz in Israel.

BNG member Jill Harrington commented: "The allotment was his baby. Last year he had a cart he dragged around the town collecting teabags and coffee grounds from all the cafes. "If you wanted a hand he was always there. He was very dependable...he has left a big hole but we are determined to carry on what he started. He was so committed to it."

John Willis added: "We are shellshocked - absolutely shellshocked.

"He was a very kind man. His heart was in the right place. He was a great friend - he will be sorely missed."

The funeral will be held at Eastbourne Crematorium on Friday May 29 at 11.30am and there will be a wake at the Town Crier in London Road, Colin's favourite pub.

There are 15 gardeners at present at the allotments and their aim now is to continue the work that Colin started and keep the scheme going in his memory. They hope new volunteers will come forward to help grow the wide array of delicious vegetables and herbs grown up there - sessions are held every Saturday morning between 10-12noon but volunteers can come when it suits them. An enormous perk of helping out is a share of the harvest - including leeks, onions, shallots, sweet pepper, cabbages, runner beans, radish, beetroot, coli and spinach.

The group has a close relationship with St Mary's school in Wrestwood Road and students visit frequently to help with gardening chores. They also enjoy two trips every year and have an upcoming excursion to Wisley Gardens on July 18.

Anyone interested in joining Bexhill Neighbourhood Gardeners can call Alvin on 07930102184.