Man who gave rosy glow to a city of granite

The transformation of Aberdeen from a city of granite to one of roses can largely be attributed to just one man.

David Welch arrived in the north- east in 1967, having been a horticultural officer in Blackpool and the head of parks and recreation in Bebington, Cheshire.

Mr Welch set to work on adding colour to the city, announcing plans to replace its grassy central reser vations with rose bushes.

He also embarked on extensive bulb-planting in green spaces throughout the city.

By the end of his 22 - year leisure and recreation tenure the city had gained two million rose bushes, 12 million daffodils and 30 million crocuses.

And starting in 1969, his work also helped Aberdeen take the Britain in Bloom crown 10 times – with 16 other commendations – in less than two decades.

The city ’ s success even caused it to suffer a short period of disqualification to give other locales around the country a chance to take the trophy.

Mr Welch was also instrumental in the development of improvements for Duthie Park, including his eponymous Winter Gardens and the Rose Mountain, on which 120,000 roses burst into colour every summer.

In 1992 he was made chief executive of Royal Pa r k s in London, responsible for 5,000 acres of some of the most famous public spaces in the world.

Using what he learned in the northeast, he transformed some of these areas in pedestrianised spaces and reintroduced horses to some areas, another idea which had proved successful in Aberdeen.

He also used his skills to create a floral display to mark the golden wedding of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1997.