News has reached GTN Xtra of the passing of Roger Smalley, Smalley House & Garden Plants, last week.

His family sent this message to customer sand suppliers: "It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that my dad, who started this company in 1973, and who many of you knew, sadly passed away Thursday lunchtime.

"At the age of 79 he had had a great life, during his working years he loved what he did and during retirement spent a great deal of his time with Mum and his two grandsons. He loved taking them to London and the 6 of us had some great holidays, Dubai and Kenya on safari are 2 that particularly
stand out.

"We will of course endeavor as always, to do our best for you over the coming weeks, he would have wanted that as he wasn’t really one much for fuss, even up to last week, he was still walking round the yard and greenhouses and just loved seeing all the plants come in from everywhere and then
being loaded up on the lorries. He will be greatly missed."

Sandra, Nick & Kate, William and Benjamin.

Boyd Douglas-Davies told GTN Xtra: "This is sad news from Smalleys in Spalding. Roger, Sandra and Nick were among the first people I met in this industry 35+ years ago. 

"Roger was a great friend to my father's business and wonderful help to me as I was finding my way in the world of garden centres. They supplied us with all of our houseplants and many of our seasonal bedding. Their van sales lorries were a welcome sight every Wednesday on our car parks as they were always full of goodies."