Perhaps the first celerity gardener, Percy Thrower inspired a generation of gardeners, including the famous Alan Titchmarsh.

He was born on January 30^th 1913, at Horwood House in Buckinghamshire, where his father was the head gardener. Holding his father in the greatest esteem, young Percys ambition was to become a great horticulturalist.

Percy proclaimed his greatest influences to be his father, Charles Cook, (his head gardener at Windsor and later his father in law) and John Maxwell, Of Derby.

During 1931, Percy began his career at the Royal gardens at Windsor Castle, living in the bothy with 20 other gardeners and ex-servicemen, making £1.00 per week.

After he left school he spent four years working for his father at the same Horwood House. Later Percy travelled to the City of Leeds Parks Department and passed the Royal Horticultural society’s General exam.  This qualification led to his first trusted positions, at Derby Parks Department, where he progressed through the ranks to Assistant Parks Superintendent. He soon passed the NDH (National Diploma in Horticulture) and became a lecturer at Derby Technical College.  He then progressed to become the youngest Parks superintendent at just 32, with a staff of 35. He remained in this post at Shrewsbury until 1974

Percy Throwers marriage to Connie Cook took place at Sandringham on 9^th September 1939, where he was working for Queen Mary. The queen gave them a gift of a set of Burslem china dishes to mark the occasion. The couple had three daughters, Margaret, Susan and Ann.

The Dig For Victory campaign during the second world war was a great platform for Percy’s celebrity status, with a tour of the country and a suddenly wide audience, he encouraged vegetable growing and gardening.

The Midland regional radio show ‘Beyond the Back Door’ gave him a regular slot in which to offer advice and tips, and his fan base grew. He went on to be involved in television work after 1951 such as ‘Picture Page’, ‘Country Calender’, ‘Out and About’ – which became ‘Gardeners World’ and this was the program he remained as a regular presenter for until 1976.

Many people remember him best for his role on ‘Blue Peter’. This role was special, as it enabled him to influence a whole new generation and established his fame for many years to come.

Percy went on to form the first established garden centre in England, which is still in business today.

Percy died aged 75 after a long and successful career, and after achieving his boyhood dreams. His influence and teaching live on in the gardening celebrities, shops and programs all around the world today.