Leslie Powell (8 Oct 1946 - 26 Aug 2022)

In loving memory of Leslie Powell who sadly passed away on 26th August 2022.

Leslie Ivor Powell (Les to some, Ivor to others) was the only child of Robert Leslie Powell and Phyllis Margaret Powell (nee Newman). He was born on 8th October 1946 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but the family returned to Robert's home town of Southampton to find work. Young Les grew up in a prefab in Montgomery Road, Bitterne, Southampton where he was one of the first intake of pupils to attend Beechwood Junior School.
He decided at an early age that he was a practical type rather than academic and that he would like to work outdoors. As a result, his secondary school studies took place at Millbrook School, which meant that he took 2 buses every day. Millbrook School offered a specialist vocational course in Farming and Gardening. Teenage Les was too kind hearted to slaughter any livestock that he had cared for so opted for a career as a gardener.

His very first job when he left school aged 15 was as a trainee gardener at Moorgreen Nurseries. He stayed there until August 1964 when he moved to the University of Southampton. He was still living with his parents, who by this time had moved to a newly built house in Tatwyn Crescent, Thornhill, Southampton. The University supported his qualifications in Amenity Horticulture at Sparsholt College, Winchester and he was promoted to the level of Chargehand Gardener in 1970. After a spell at the main university campus in Highfield, Les moved to the Wessex Lane Halls complex where the grounds were originally landscaped by the famous 18th century gardener Capability Brown. Les often said that Capability Brown had more than 3 staff to manage the property but did not have modern equipment such as tractors!

In 1985, Les met Alison Macleod at the University Staff Badminton Club and they married in July 1987. The wedding took place in St Mary's Church, South Stoneham, on the estate where Les worked. He made sure that the grounds were in tiptop condition for the wedding photographs and the reception at Connaught Hall. He remained at Wessex Lane until 2009 when he started to work part-time at Avenue Campus and at the Vice-Chancellor's official residence at Birchwood in Chilworth. His work was very much appreciated by the Vice-Chancellor and his family until Les finally retired in October 2016. He received a long service award for 50 years in 2014 and was the University's longest standing member of staff.

His favourite leisure activity was photography and he joined Woolston Camera Club in 1984. His photography improved considerably after his marriage to Alison, where he appropriated the utility room in the family home as a dark room. He became a Committee member and eventually Chairman and President of the club and represented them on the regional meetings of the Southern Counties Photographic Federation (SCPF). In March 2017, Les received the SCPF's highest award by being entered on the Roll of Honour, in recognition of and appreciation for dedicated and long service to Photography in Club and Federation.

Les and Alison purchased their first motorcaravan in 2000 and travelled extensively throughout Europe. Their favourite destinations included Finland, Croatia, Hungary, Portugal and Italy. To celebrate their 30th (Pearl) Wedding Anniversary, they splashed out on a cruise to Canada, the USA and Bermuda. This was the holiday of a lifetime and provided plenty of material for photography competitions.

Les was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in May 2022, and with the consultant's blessing, embarked on one last motorcaravan holiday to France in June 2022. Les and Alison celebrated their 35th (Coral) Wedding Anniversary on 4th July 2022 quietly, at home, where Les enjoyed Alison's home-made trifle.

He died peacefully in Southampton General Hospital on 26th August 2022, with his loving wife Alison at his side.

He will be missed by all who knew him.