1. IMPORTANT - NEW & EXISTING MEMBERS

    E-MAIL SERVER ISSUES

    We are currently experiencing issues with our outgoing email server, therefore EXISTING members will not be getting any alert emails, and NEW/PROSPECTIVE members will not receive the email they need to confirm their account. This matter has been escalated, however the technician responsible is currently on annual leave.For assistance, in the first instance, please PM any/all of the admin team (if you can), alternatively please send an email to:

    [email protected]

    We will endeavour to help as quickly as we can.
    Dismiss Notice

Raising a glass to our Armandii

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Apr 23, 2021.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    26,425
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +49,509
    [​IMG]

    Further to our sad announcement earlier this week, Webmaster and the Admin team thought it would be a nice idea to have a thread where we could raise a glass, have a chuckle, share memories and chew the fat in honour of Armandii.

    Quite often, Eddy and I would do exactly that by PM of a weekend whilst chasing a few drams over our throats and on occasion that would even be us being daft on some of the threads on the forum with many of you joining in.

    Without doubt, Eddy would want GC to continue to thrive, and for the GC gang to continue to keep the chat, laughter and camaraderie going. So, feel free!
     
    • Like Like x 8
    • Friendly Friendly x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • EmmaJane

      EmmaJane Gardener

      Joined:
      Apr 18, 2020
      Messages:
      61
      Gender:
      Female
      Occupation:
      Software Developer
      Location:
      Leighton Buzzard
      Ratings:
      +435
      I didn't know him very well, which I believe is my loss, so I don't have many memories of him but I remember Eddy was the first person to tell me it was okay to be stupidly excited over the first bulb I ever planted blooming - coming from someone so obviously respected and experienced that was really encouraging to a complete newbie.

      I always liked seeing his name on a post; I knew it was going to be something profoundly useful, some beautiful pictures to drool over or it was going to make me literally lol - usually all three at once :biggrin:
       
      • Friendly Friendly x 7
      • Like Like x 6
      • Freddy

        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

        Joined:
        Jul 15, 2007
        Messages:
        9,461
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired - yay!
        Location:
        Bristol
        Ratings:
        +12,508
        I only met Eddy the once, at Shineys do, a few years ago. I can’t remember how it came about, but he bought us one of one the plants for sale, he wouldn’t accept payment. So typical of the man and it’s something that will always stay with me.
         
        • Friendly Friendly x 10
        • Agree Agree x 3
        • Like Like x 2
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

          Joined:
          May 5, 2012
          Messages:
          26,425
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Public Transport
          Location:
          At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
          Ratings:
          +49,509
          Aye, he had a canny knack of putting people at ease about what they were growing (and to be fair, there are many others here that I personally hold in similar regard) - thankfully, he had his daft side as well, so you'd often find yourself chuckling at something or in some sort of silly exchange (and usually when getting a little bit tiddly at the same time :biggrin:)
           
          • Like Like x 10
          • Friendly Friendly x 3
          • roders

            roders Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Feb 26, 2006
            Messages:
            6,182
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +6,948
            A lovely song for a lovely guy.

             
            • Friendly Friendly x 7
            • Like Like x 4
            • Nikolaos

              Nikolaos Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 26, 2019
              Messages:
              1,714
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Midlands, UK
              Ratings:
              +4,288
              He was such a generous man in so many ways: with his time, his advice, his support and encouragement. He was also one of those people who are so incredibly welcoming that you just can't help but feel an immediate fondness for them. To me, he was the embodiment of the saying "a stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet". :)

              Nick
               
              • Agree Agree x 7
              • Like Like x 4
              • Friendly Friendly x 3
              • Loofah

                Loofah Admin Staff Member

                Joined:
                Feb 20, 2008
                Messages:
                12,586
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Guildford
                Ratings:
                +21,703
                I'll certainly be having another wee dram to him. Coming on the heels of another passing in the family it's been quite an emotional week so I'll be celebrating their memories, and of our small gardening family.
                 
                • Friendly Friendly x 14
                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                  Joined:
                  May 5, 2012
                  Messages:
                  26,425
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Public Transport
                  Location:
                  At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                  Ratings:
                  +49,509
                  Sorry to read that Andy :frown:
                   
                  • Agree Agree x 12
                  • Nikolaos

                    Nikolaos Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jun 26, 2019
                    Messages:
                    1,714
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Midlands, UK
                    Ratings:
                    +4,288
                    • Agree Agree x 4
                    • Friendly Friendly x 4
                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

                      Joined:
                      Feb 20, 2008
                      Messages:
                      12,586
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Guildford
                      Ratings:
                      +21,703
                      Thanks both, it's been a bit of a week!
                       
                      • Friendly Friendly x 9
                      • Fat Controller

                        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        May 5, 2012
                        Messages:
                        26,425
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Public Transport
                        Location:
                        At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                        Ratings:
                        +49,509
                        The line in your signature also applies to you! My inbox is always open....
                         
                        • Friendly Friendly x 9
                        • Logan

                          Logan Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          May 27, 2017
                          Messages:
                          14,834
                          Gender:
                          Female
                          Occupation:
                          housewife
                          Location:
                          redditch Worcester
                          Ratings:
                          +44,514
                          I didn't know him that well but it's sad when someone passes away.
                           
                          • Friendly Friendly x 9
                          • glengarry23

                            glengarry23 Head Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Oct 11, 2019
                            Messages:
                            1,820
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Retired
                            Location:
                            The Midlands,..Ireland
                            Ratings:
                            +5,251
                            Sitting here for ages trying to remember the comments he made about my images posted and he always put me in a better mood,..i had mentioned to Eddy that i served several trips abroad with a small Unit,..36 all ranks,..how many died in the space of a year,..he told me he had served with the Riff Raff 'RAF' and had a similar experience as mine,..i knew he became aware of a problem i had but never asked about it,..always supported me in his special way,..his private messages were a morale booster no matter what the subject was,..never detracting from my problem with his bad experiences,..that's what made him such a special person,..he was someone i could look up to and admire in everything he did on the Forum,..he surely made my day with his witty comments,..i am trying to be uplifted reading all the beautiful comments posted about Eddy,..they help ease the loss,..i for one will always keep him in mind.
                             
                            • Friendly Friendly x 13
                            • Agree Agree x 1
                            • shiney

                              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                              Joined:
                              Jul 3, 2006
                              Messages:
                              61,321
                              Gender:
                              Male
                              Occupation:
                              Retired - Last Century!!!
                              Location:
                              Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                              Ratings:
                              +118,361
                              Eddy was a lovely person and he came to our open garden every year for about ten years despite the very long drive. He loved meeting all the GC members and enjoyed swapping plants with them here. When he arrived on Friday, the day before open day, his car was full of plants and some were for other members and the rest for sale for the charity.

                              He stopped for a cuppa, cake, chat and laugh before checking into his B&B that he always stayed at when coming down here. On the Sunday morning before going home he again stopped for a cuppa, cake and laugh and reminisce about the GC group the day before and then headed home with a fruit cake (his favourite) and sandwiches for the journey.

                              He will be sorely missed.
                               
                              • Friendly Friendly x 10
                              • Like Like x 2
                              • shiney

                                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                                Joined:
                                Jul 3, 2006
                                Messages:
                                61,321
                                Gender:
                                Male
                                Occupation:
                                Retired - Last Century!!!
                                Location:
                                Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                                Ratings:
                                +118,361
                                A group of us, anyone who wanted to, came to the Indian restaurant for a meal after open day and he never missed that!

                                This is a rather poor photo at the restaurant but the only one I can find with him just in the picture, with myself and our lovely GC Beckie who died suddenly last year.
                                P1260476.jpg

                                This is a photo taken by Beckie of Eddy doing his usual thing of photographing plants (Jenny and "M" in the background). :)
                                Arm 2.jpg
                                 
                                • Like Like x 10
                                • Friendly Friendly x 5
                                • Informative Informative x 1
                                Loading...

                                Share This Page

                                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                  Dismiss Notice