Robert Tannahill – Bob as he was known to many of his friends and work colleagues – has died this week aged 68.

Bob’s horticultural career began at the City Council run Glasgow Botanic Gardens, before qualifying in both Horticulture and Beekeeping at the West of Scotland College of Agriculture at Auchincruive in Ayrshire. 

Joining Dodge City, later to become B&Q, he was one of the pioneers as the DIY sheds got into Horticulture in the 1980’s, managing stores in Scotland, South Wales and London before joining WH Smith’s Do It All as a Product Manager.

Wanting to get back more to his horticultural roots, Bob joined Worcester Garden Centre, [now part of the Blue Diamond Group] then independently owned by the Thompstone family who also owned Byrkley Park in Staffordshire. He managed the centre, with a keen eye for detail and his artistic flair and in time seeing the business and his staff team through the transition to Blooms, then shortly afterwards to Wyevale.  

Always keen to be involved with something new, the centre was one of the founding members of the Future Marketing Group, as well as winning many industry awards and accolades over his years heading up the team. Bob retired early some years ago through poor health and is survived by his brother Duncan, still living in Scotland.

GTN Xtra will update with funeral arrangements once these are known.