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The legacy of one of the region's best known and much-loved figures from the horticultural world will continue to grow, thanks to his daughter and granddaughter.

Hailed as a 'dedicated community champion', former Anglia in Bloom president David White sadly died last month at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

As Dad to Carley White and Grandpa to Kaia, who both work at the hospital, David spent his life in horticulture - and the hospital's Education Centre Garden always held a special place in his heart, as a peaceful and tranquil space he enjoyed spending time in with family and championed the work of the hospital garden volunteers.

 

Now Carley and Kaia are dedicated to continuing to promote David's love of the garden alongside highlighting the huge wellness benefits it can offer to staff, patients and visitors. 

Carley, Team Leader for Hinchingbrooke Community Midwives, said: “Dad's association with the garden spans over many years. I spent two long stints in hospital as a teenager, and he would push me in my bed down to the garden every day. More recently we spent many hours in the garden in the weeks before he sadly passed.

“We come from a family of gardeners and Dad did so much for the local area in promoting horticulture and shared his knowledge with so many people.”

Paediatrics Medical Secretary Kaia added: “Grandpa loved the Hinchingbrooke garden, and the volunteers do such a fantastic job. It held a very special place in his heart - as it does in mine and Mum's.

"The family was able to enjoy a picnic with Grandpa in the garden during his time in hospital and even brought his King Charles Spaniels in to visit.

“We want as many people as possible to use the garden and enjoy it as much as we do. Being in a garden is naturally calming and nature is a great healer.”

Last year, the volunteers were presented with a Royal Horticultural Society Outstanding Award for the garden in the 'Gardening for Health and Wellbeing' - having been nominated by David.

 

The White family has donated a number of plants from David's nursery to the garden and to other green spaces in local communities to continue his legacy. 

Kaia added: “It's lovely to be able to give back to Hinchingbrooke Hospital when it has given so much to us.”

 

A highly respected plantsman, David's horticultural career took him to Kew Gardens and the gardens of Buckingham Palace, and in his role with the Department of Transport, he helped to introduce trees and planting along major road networks. 

Carley and Kaia White, along with the volunteers, in the Hinchingbrooke Hospital garden and Kaia with the volunteers and the RHS certificate. 

David White handing one of many Anglia In Bloom certificates (photo credit Anglia in Bloom).

Some of David's plants have been donated by the family for planting in the Hospital garden.