Tribute to Allistair Stothard - Barnetby horticultural expert and show judge

A WIFE has paid tribute to a Barnetby gardener and show judge who has died at the age of 80.

Allistair Stothard died due to a chest infection and epilepsy at Scunthorpe General Hospital on January 29.

He was born in Ulceby in 1933 and was the eldest sibling of his three sisters and one brother.

Mr Stothard went to school in Ulceby and upon leaving at the age of 16 started work at Wrawby junction box as a signal man.

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His wife Carol Stothard said that, altogether, her husband worked for almost 50 years on the railways.

She said: "He absolutely loved his job.

"After finishing working on the signal box he started work as a loading officer checking cargo on trains.

"He was then made chief loading inspector, which took him abroad to places like France and Austria."

Mrs Stothard said her husband also did checks on the loading for Army trains in Redmile and loved doing this.

She said: "He got on very well with his colleagues and was very good at his job.

"He was a perfectionist and everything had to be done properly."

Mr and Mrs Stothard married in 1984 and were very happy together, she said.

Mrs Stothard said: "Now he has gone there is a big gap in my life.

"He was very much loved and will be sorely missed.

"He was a proud family man and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren."

In his spare time, Mr Stothard was a member of the Barnetby Horticultural Society, starting as secretary to start and going on to become chairman. He organised two successful horticultural shows annually for many years, before reducing this to one a few years ago.

Mrs Stothard said: "He was also a keen gardener and grew chrysanthemums and vegetables to show at other agricultural shows in the area.

"He also enjoyed judging at the different shows when he wasn't taking part in the competitions.

"He loved taking part in community life and was a past member and past chairman of Barnetby Parish Council.

"He did a lot of fundraising for the village hall and would help run monthly bingo nights in order to raise money for the facility."

Mr Stothard leaves behind three children – Neil, Victoria and Abigail – and two grandchildren.

His funeral was held at St Barnabas Church in Barnetby on Thursday, February 14.