There will be a face missing from Barriedale over the coming weeks and years.
Tom Bagnell, aged 82 passed away this week. He was on his plot until a week or two ago doing what he loved best. That was mainly drinking beer, bullshitting, having a craic with the rest of us and digging. He was the greatest windup merchant I ever met and enjoyed nothing more than winding up the "old farts" , as he put it.
I shall miss him dearly.
(http://i.imgur.com/1AEhY9C.jpg)
I can well understand that, Nick. We lived in Hertfordshire for 26 years, and i had a large veg plot at the end of the garden. Next door was our neighbour Peter also with a large veg plot. We swopped advice, seeds, ideas, and general chat for hours and hours during the years. He eventually became ill with Parkinson's and died a couple of years later. I missed him so much. RIP Tom.
Brian next to me - late 80's and counting. Lifelong gardener, socialist and all round good chap! Has had to give his up due to failing health.....it still irks me to see the new people making such big changes to his plot - he'd had it over 30 years!
Sorry tohear you've lost such a good friend. Hope whoever takes over his plot does him justice.
We had sort of wangled the plot thing as he found he couldn't manage a whole one. Our mate Mike took over his plot "officially" but Tom continued to work it with Mike doing more of the difficult stuff. Mike and him were best buddies and the three of us used to hang out giggling like schoolboys, taking the pish out of each other and everyone else and generally behaving badly. Hope I am still like that at 82!
Lets hope that he has gone to the Great Garden.
He sounds like a lovely man who will be missed by his mates and family.
Sorry for your loss.
Nick,
Tom sounds such a character! You were friends for a long time and able to give each other such fun times. Some people are 'larger than life' and he must have been one of them. It is sad for you and we are sad with you. He was happy and active right to the end. You feel the loss deeply but you still have all the great memories. Thank you for allowing us to share :wave: