Tributes paid to well-known Morpeth man Les English following his death at the age of 90

Les English, who died on May 22, ran an upholstery business and was a key member of the Morpeth Chamber of Trade for many years.

The funeral took place on Tuesday (June 10) at St James’ Church and the church was full. During the service, his family mentioned that Les received a number of civic awards for his enormous contribution to Morpeth’s entries for the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions over a number of years.

Speaking to the Gazette, his friend and Chamber colleague Charles Robinson said: “The Chamber of Trade’s two main fundraising events were Morpeth Fair Day and Golf Day. Les gave his time generously every year to support these events long after he had retired from his upholstery business.

“Les will, however, be best remembered for his outstanding contribution to Morpeth’s entry into both the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions for more than 30 years.

“The work, time and effort he put into brightening the town with floral displays – entirely on a voluntary basis – was immense.

“He would start in the early spring collecting orders and then liaise with Heighley Gate before organising the putting out of the hanging baskets and tubs, sometimes totalling around 200.

“Although this sounds straightforward, Les would often have to spend up to 20 hours some weeks visiting shopkeepers and re-visiting them when the person in charge was not available, as well as telephoning regional and national headquarters of large retailers to persuade them to take part and then collecting all of the payments.

“The results of all this hard work were spectacular. Morpeth was the winner of the Northumbria in Bloom Best Town category every year from 2006 up until Covid struck in 2020.

“However, the best moment came in 2013 when Morpeth was voted the outright winner of the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition. Morpeth also won Gold Awards in Britain in Bloom in 2018 and 2019 as well as Silver Gilt Awards in 2011 and 2012.

“Les was a wonderful man who was liked and respected by all who knew him, and he was always so modest about the part he played in Morpeth’s success in the Bloom competitions.”