AUBREY GIBBARD
Aubrey Gibbard
We are very sad indeed to announce that our Life President, Aubrey Gibbard, died on Wednesday 14th October.
Aubrey joined the allotment society soon after moving to Harpenden in 1954, when he moved into the house next door to Gordon Daborn, then secretary of the society. He was soon signed up!
He became a very active member, helping in the shop when it opened in 1969, and as Associate Membership Secretary, finally taking on the position of shop manager in the late 1980’s. In those days most things, fertilisers etc, were bought in bulk. During the week, a team of volunteers would weigh out packs ready for sale in the shop at the weekend. Aubrey remembered these days as ‘’happy times’’, sharing the work, and accompanied by all the usual banter of friends working together.
Aubrey could be found most Sunday mornings in the allotment shop, a dapper figure wearing a brown overall over his jacket, standing with his stick or perched on a stool. He was generous and always cheerful, despite his mobility problems. On a visit to the shop, you soon realised that a regular trail of dogs dragged their owners in for a biscuit out of the tin kept in the little kitchen area, - oh yes, they knew where it was!
Through the years, his loyal custom and wise trading resulted in respect and genuine friendship from many of the nursery companies’ reps. I remember him showing me the shop’s books before he retired. They were immaculately kept, all beautifully ruled and written out in the neatest longhand I have ever seen. All accounts were settled as soon as they arrived and so always qualified for a prompt payment bonus.
In the mid 1990’s the opportunity came to exchange this bonus for shares in the company, Nursery Trades. Much to some scepticism from other committee members at the time, Aubrey, with advice from Pip Phypers, opted for the shares. What a brilliant decision! When the company was eventually sold in 2005-6 the investment SHAGS had amounted to a substantial sum. It is this wise, far-sighted approach which has put the society in the good financial position it is in today. As we cannot insure our buildings, we have the funds to repair and/or rebuild if necessary.
Unfortunately ill health finally forced Aubrey to retire in 2003, although he still supported the society when he could. He was made Honorary Life president in the summer of 2005 on the death of our previous President, Stan White.
Although many present members may not have known him, the legacy of Aubrey Gibbard will safeguard the South Harpenden Allotment and Gardens Society for many years to come, what a wonderful gift!
(Chris Wilson.)
We are very sad indeed to announce that our Life President, Aubrey Gibbard, died on Wednesday 14th October.
Aubrey joined the allotment society soon after moving to Harpenden in 1954, when he moved into the house next door to Gordon Daborn, then secretary of the society. He was soon signed up!
He became a very active member, helping in the shop when it opened in 1969, and as Associate Membership Secretary, finally taking on the position of shop manager in the late 1980’s. In those days most things, fertilisers etc, were bought in bulk. During the week, a team of volunteers would weigh out packs ready for sale in the shop at the weekend. Aubrey remembered these days as ‘’happy times’’, sharing the work, and accompanied by all the usual banter of friends working together.
Aubrey could be found most Sunday mornings in the allotment shop, a dapper figure wearing a brown overall over his jacket, standing with his stick or perched on a stool. He was generous and always cheerful, despite his mobility problems. On a visit to the shop, you soon realised that a regular trail of dogs dragged their owners in for a biscuit out of the tin kept in the little kitchen area, - oh yes, they knew where it was!
Through the years, his loyal custom and wise trading resulted in respect and genuine friendship from many of the nursery companies’ reps. I remember him showing me the shop’s books before he retired. They were immaculately kept, all beautifully ruled and written out in the neatest longhand I have ever seen. All accounts were settled as soon as they arrived and so always qualified for a prompt payment bonus.
In the mid 1990’s the opportunity came to exchange this bonus for shares in the company, Nursery Trades. Much to some scepticism from other committee members at the time, Aubrey, with advice from Pip Phypers, opted for the shares. What a brilliant decision! When the company was eventually sold in 2005-6 the investment SHAGS had amounted to a substantial sum. It is this wise, far-sighted approach which has put the society in the good financial position it is in today. As we cannot insure our buildings, we have the funds to repair and/or rebuild if necessary.
Unfortunately ill health finally forced Aubrey to retire in 2003, although he still supported the society when he could. He was made Honorary Life president in the summer of 2005 on the death of our previous President, Stan White.
Although many present members may not have known him, the legacy of Aubrey Gibbard will safeguard the South Harpenden Allotment and Gardens Society for many years to come, what a wonderful gift!
(Chris Wilson.)