Members of the garden centre industry turned out in force for the funeral of All-In-One Garden Centre founder Dave Stafford on Tuesday. The former Chairman of the GCA died at the age of 71 following a 15-month battle against kidney cancer...

Rochdale Crematorium overflowed with mourners eager to pay their last respects to a man described as a 'pioneer' in the garden trade.

Dave opened the All-In-One Garden Centre in 1971, and with his then wife Beryl, it quickly grew and developed into thriving business.

In 1988 Dave used his earlier building trade experience in a significant £2 million rebuild of the centre. 

Coming from outside the industry was never seen by him as a disadvantage – quite the opposite, as he pioneered the store into new categories such as Christmas, leisure and gift products.

A former Chairman of the Garden Centre Association, Dave was a passionate supporter of the trade body and his colleagues in the trade. Dave regularly supported the association at the regional, national and international level. Indeed the opportunity to join his colleagues from around the world at their annual congress was a highlight in his year.

Dave retired from daily duties in the business in 2008 but remained as chairman of the board. Together with his wife Sue, they chose North Wales as his final home where he loved spending time with family and his two loyal dogs. Although his time retired was relatively brief, David lived life to the full and lead what he described as a 'privileged life'.