Obituary: Church groundskeeper and former coal man

The family of a volunteer groundskeeper at St Paul’s Church in Hook found out he had helped win a Kingston in Bloom award on the day of his funeral.

Philip Stickley, who tended the church grounds for 10 years, died at home in September, aged 84.

The Stickley family goes back five generations in the Hook area. Mr Stickley’s grand-niece Jennifer Pennells said his devotion to the church garden was “unfaltering”. After his funeral service, the parish administrator returned to the church office to find a letter confirming the garden’s winning status in the Kingston in Bloom competition.

Born in 1928, Mr Stickley was one of 10 children. His funeral took place at St Paul’s Church in October. His family bought a variety of rose it has named the Stickley, and planted it at the church in his memory.

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