Chris Cullum (30 Jun 1961 - 30 Jun 2019)

Funeral Collection

Funeral Collection

Funeral Collection

A true friend who gave so much to others ..... Always willing to help and with a smile. Will be terribly missed but never forgotten

Rest in peace Chris, you didn’t deserve to go early

Receiving the most wonderful stories and memories about my dad


MY MEMORIES OF CHRIS

I first met Chris about 25 years ago, I was working as head gardener on the Lyegrove estate near Badminton and was introduced to Chris by the estate manage, at first and for the coming 4 to 5 year I would call john millers asking for parts etc, and not have much to do with the ordering of machinery, I would pop in from time to time have a chat and all was normal !!!! but that was to change !!

In 2000 I move jobs to be the head gardener of Whatley manor and one of the first things I have to do was to set up and purchase all the machinery etc, so I called John Millers and arranged a meeting with him to discuss the matter, we sat down and talked about Whatley and what was going on, I was a bit nervous about such a massive task ahead of me, 14 acre grounds with a garden which had been neglected for many years, and less than 2 years to completely restore the garden making 24 different gardens, that’s when Chris gave me his advice, ‘you’ll be fine, look what you have done at Lyegrove, you know what you are doing just do it bit by bit’, your have lots of support and we can help if you need us, I can’t remember all the advice but he was very reassuring and gave me confidence.
During the restoration of the garden we needed different machines and parts, once we had completed the gardens and the hotel was up and running we would have important guests staying from time to time and the general rule was mowing on Thursday and Friday ready for the weekend, one Thursday we were mowing all the lawns as we had a big wedding over the weekend, one of the Honda mowing cables broke making the mower out of action, normally I would call parts at john millers and they would send it in the post but we needed it now !!! so I jumped in my car and broke the land speed record from Whatley to Chippenham, I ran in the shop to be greeted by Chris standing in the shop with a big smile on his face, Chris; who’s car is that me; mine, Chris; I bet you can’t get many mowers in that, me; well I always wanted a car like this and when I got to forty decide to buy one, (a MAZDA mx5 in turquoise,) Chris just laughed and laughed, Chris; it’s a bloody hairdresser car !!!! this made all the john miller team in the shop stand up and have a look, much laughter followed including me.
From that day on I would be known as ‘the hairdresser’ I would come to the shop to buy something and Chris would shout ‘here he is the hairdresser’ it wouldn’t matter who was in the shop or what he was doing, or he would say ‘ just when my day couldn’t get any worse you pop in’ or ‘what do you want, I am trying to deal with real customers’ if he was dealing with a customer and didn’t know them very well, he would look at me, run his hands through his hair and give a quick smile, then carry on talking to the customer, then the others would say ‘ what can we do for the hairdresser today’

In 2013 I decided to move from Whatley manor and start my own business as a garden designer and restoration, I phoned Chris to let him know, straight away he said ‘great come in and have a chat’ me; ok Chris; come in and we can talk in my office’ me; ok, I wasn’t sure why he was so keen for me to have a chat,!!!!! Anyway it played on my mind so I made an excuse to go to john millers, I got the normal greeting ‘are the hairdresser’ at the top of his voice, come in my office, have a seat, coffee ? me; yes please, I was left sitting in the office I felt like I was in the head masters office waiting for the punishment !!! only this time the punishment was Chris advice!
Chris; So why are you leaving Whatley and what’s the plan? Me; well it’s a bit of a risk Chris; not really, me; well I may have to go back to maintaining gardens if the design work doesn’t work out but I think its time to move on, Chris; no you won’t have to do garden maintenance, your too good for that, you will do well, look at your cv now, I know lots of people and they all have big gardens and we sell machines to them all the time, ;me oh yes of course you have lots of contacts great !!!! 😊 he made me feel great, Chris; and I know lots of good landscapers and when you have the design work done and built done you can push them my way for machines; me great cool, Chris; but don’t get like a certain x head gardener, when its all about him doing talks and consultancy and charging ridiculous fees, you are and have been more hands on and with your enthusiasm you will be great with the clients. I cannot tell you how big he made me feel, knowing I have the support from him and others around him opening my eyes and giving me the confidence to know that this was one area I would have nothing to worry about.

Chris was a one of a kind, that smile of his I will never forget, he was always very kind to me and loved taking the piss, this is a sad time, I will miss him and that smile, but I will always remember the good times we had and how lucky I was to know him


Barry
THE HAIRDRESSER

Thinking of you all through this time. Chris was a truly special man. Very lucky to have known him.

Thinking of you all through this time. Chris was a truly special man. Very lucky to have known him.

Love Karen, Josh and Charlotte xxx

In memory of my dad, who helped anyone and everyone xx

Such an amazing kind hearted man! Lots of love to Karen, Josh and Charlotte xxx

Such an amazing man! Lots of love to Karen, Josh and Charlotte xxx

In memory of Chris

In memory of Chris

With love to Karen Josh Charlotte and all of Chris's family and friends. A lovely funny kind hearted man the world will be a poorer place without him in it. Love Clare Jon Ethan and Ellis x x

I met Chris on his birthday 27 years ago in Turkey with Karen. We shared a very drunken night which ended with Katen pushing Chris in the pool and him cracking his head open .🙈 I have such fond memories of spending weekends and holidays with him. It is with huge regret I haven't seen him for many years but he will always have a special place in my heart and have the most amazing memories. His massive smile and chuckle will never be forgotten. Lots of love Clare x x

I have such amazing memories of Chris. I actually met him on his birthday 27 years ago and remember Karen pushing him in the pool and he cracked his head 🤣. He became a special person in my life and despite not seeing him for a very long time will always hold him dear in my memories and heart. X x