Michael Stone, ex-Head Water Gardener at Longstock Park in Hampshire, died 29th July aged 63

Michael Stone was in charge of the water gardens at the world famous Longstock Park Water Gardens for 22 years. After retiring in 2004 to take his passion for sculpture by doing a BA course in Fine Art, he was awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Associate of Honour, one of the most prestigious award in horticulture. This was in recognition of his experience and knowledge in the sphere of water gardening. Only one hundred living members can hold this award at any one time.

Longstock Water Gardens have been described by a number of authourities as being the best water gardens of their type in the world. Originally created by John Spedan Lewis, the retail magnate, in 1946, thanks to Michael Stone the gardens maintained their glory despite being ravage by two of the worst storms in living memory. He had started at Longstock Park back in 1983 after 15 years as a Head Gardener in Buckinghamshire. He had been born in Norfolk in 1944 and originally went to college to study building, but after that he took up an apprenticeship with the Royal Parks in London where he acquired his thorough basic training.

His obituary appeared this month October, in The Garden,the RHS journal for its members and gardeners. Here he was described as a "practical man" and at Longstock Park he "maintained a high standard of design, plantsmanship and maintenance".