Obituary
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Harry Thorpe died in February 1977 just six months after the international conference and exhibition held in Birmingham.
Location: Birmingham News cuttings - Birmingham Biography, Vol. 77, February to November 1977.
Transcription:
Birmingham Post 15-2-77
ObituaryProf H Thorpe
Prof Harry Thorpe, originator of the leisure gardens movement in Britain, died at his home in Brooklands Road, Hall Green, Birmingham. He was 64.
Prof Thorpe was born in Chesterfield and graduated from Durham University. He became a lecturer in geography at Birmingham University in 1946 and was head of the geography department for the last six years.
He will be chiefly remembered for being the inspiration behind the leisure gardens movement.
He was chairman of the Government Committee of Inquiry into Allotments from 1965-69 and president of both the National Society of Leisure Gardeners and International Federation of Leisure Gardeners./ He was made an OBE for his services to the movement last year. He left his hospital bed to attend the International Federation's 50th anniversary celebrations held at Birmingham University last year, which was visited by nearly 1,000 delegates.
He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters.
