Letter: Brenda was an inspiration

Brenda Rochell (1931-2014): An Appreciation.
INDEFATIGABLE SPIRIT Brenda Rochell at work in Dewsburys Crow Nest Park.INDEFATIGABLE SPIRIT Brenda Rochell at work in Dewsburys Crow Nest Park.
INDEFATIGABLE SPIRIT Brenda Rochell at work in Dewsburys Crow Nest Park.

This week the Friends of Crow Nest Park are mourning the loss of Brenda Rochell, a founder member of the group and an indefatigable worker in the popular wildflower garden to which she devoted 10 years of her life.

Brenda helped to landscape and plant the garden in 2004 and subsequently logged nearly 8,000 hours of voluntary time helping to maintain it – digging, planting, propagating, and weeding every day. This year her work received the highest accolade when the wildflower garden was judged ‘outstanding’ by Yorkshire in Bloom judges.

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No task was too small: Brenda ensured the dog bowl was filled, she cleared litter every morning, she swept and tidied. In the greenhouse she propagated and maintained a remarkable collection of cacti and indoor plants, many of which were available for sale to raise funds for the park.

All her work contributed in no small measure to the park getting Green Flag status for the last four years.

But Brenda wasn’t just a gardener: she was above all a welcoming presence in the park, much appreciated by the many visitors to the garden and greenhouse for whom a visit to the park wasn’t complete without a word with Brenda.

As Christmas approaches we remember, above all, Brenda’s kindness and generosity: with gardening advice, with seeds and plants, of course, but mainly with her time. Brenda had time for everyone, dispensing humour, encouragement, sympathy and friendship unstintingly.

Brenda was a constant and inspirational support to the Friends of the Park.

She will be very sadly missed, but always remembered with great fondness.

The Friends of Crow Nest Park

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