The Eric Young Foundation etc

[MrCym]

I am happy to say that I was a close friend of the late Eric Young. He was an amazing man, loved his orchids and was in addition, a very astute businessman. My memory may be failing me but I believe he started his adult life with a Bachelor of Science degree. At one point in our long friendship, I became aware of his intense interest in Chinese snuff bottles (that may be too utilitarian a term!) and I once drove him to AOS Los Angeles judging in a pick-up (my car was in the shop!) and he stopped enroute to spend almost $300,000 on buying some of these snuff bottles from a couple who lived close to the Hollywood sign. Needless to say, he didn't leave the bag in the pickup but unobtrusively put it under his chair during judging. Only the two of us knew the bag's contents. I mention this as it has a much more recent relevance.

Anyway, Eric had a fleet of Rolls Royce cars and when you visited, he would always pick you up in one. I teased him about putting on a show and he responded by pointing out the Rolls was the only car you could buy, with few if any repair costs and then resell it for the original purchase price, 20 years later. I have never been in the financial position to put that assertion to the test!

When he set up the Foundation Orchid Garden in Jersey, he was closely guided by the late Alan Moon. Alan was a great hybridizer and also a superb orchid grower, far wiser that the Ray Bilton types. I think it is accurate to say that the Foundation has felt the absence of Eric and Alan in more recent times. I hear way too much orchid information on the quiet but fairly recently, there appears to have been significant gaps in Eric's snuff bottle collection and word is that a couple of Trustees OK'd a backdoor sale which obviously saw them well rewarded. I can say this without fear of any legal consequences as I have no intention of ever visiting the UK again in my lifetime, nor will I be dropping into Jersey!

I was a little disappointed to hear a couple of weeks ago that the head orchid grower at Longwood Gardens had been lured away to the be the head Orchidist at the EYOF. One, I am sad to see a capable and rapidly significant orchidist leave the USA. Secondly, I have an inkling the the EYOF ain't what it used to be and I'm concerned that this bright young man will end up being disappointed with his change of location. I hope for the best but fear for the worst.

As a footnote, my two cherished possessions are the two letters that Eric wrote me. He never wrote letters and to have two is a treasure. It was his push that gave the 1990 World Orchid Conference to New Zealand but sadly he was unable to share it with us.

[Gary S]

It seems your memory Andy is still up to scratch, when one reads a post like yours.Thanks for the history lesson.

[cricketerry]

A very interesting anecdote Andy. It will be interesting to see how the EYOF fares in the next few years.

[Murph]

Another great memory. I still think a book of anecdotes on orchid growers/nurseries/famous plants etc would be well worthwhile.

I know you were well ensconced Managing Dos Pueblos, plus your own nursery Featherhill, but I would be surprised if Eric didn’t try to headhunt you for the Foundation at the time.

[MrCym]

Interesting comment! But Eric had Alan Moon and he was top drawer, knew Odonts so well and pretty savvy on Cyms too. By the time Alan became disabled, I was way too involved in my own business and had plans to return to NZ after Carol had major cancer surgery. Things always work out for the best.... well, nearly always!