Town mourns death of acclaimed rose-grower

Len Davies worked as the gardener and amenity warden for the town council since 2005 and was a well-liked and active member of the community. He was commended numerous times on his maintenance of the rose beds outside the library in Western Road.

Len was also an acclaimed rose-growing expert, having exhibited roses locally since 1970 and entering numerous local, regional and national competitions, winning the UK National in 1986.

“Len was a respected employee of the council and cared passionately about Hailsham and the people in it,” said Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Coltman on behalf of the town council.

“I wish to record my deep appreciation of Len’s work over the past eleven years, his kind nature, reliability and not least his positive outlook on things.

“He will be sadly missed by town council members, officers and the wider community. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Town Clerk John Harrison said: “I can only add to the many wonderful messages and tributes which have already circulated about Len.

“His passing is a huge loss for Hailsham and for everyone who knew him.”

Environment Hailsham chairman Richard Grocock said: “Len maintained a number of rose beds in the town centre, all of which are regularly pruned, watered, hand-weeded and litter picked at each visit.

“We’re all very grateful to Len for his wonderful work put into enhancing the appearance of our town.

“We have lost someone who had made a significant contribution to the life and well-being of the community in which he lived.”

Len is a former member of the Royal National Rose Society (RNRS), East Sussex Rose Society and Hailsham Horticultural Society, and often gave talks and illustrated presentations on rose growing. A former butcher, he also wrote numerous gardening articles for national newspapers.

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