Bill Webster was one of Norwich's great champions who helped make our fine city 'blooming marvellous.'

Norwich Evening News: Bill Webster, one of the Norwich in Bloom Team planting flowers on Norwich Castle's bridge.Bill Webster, one of the Norwich in Bloom Team planting flowers on Norwich Castle's bridge.

Mr Webster - who passed away on October 9, aged 92 - was a former chairman of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom and an ambassador for the group, and the inspirational community stalwart inspired countless people of all ages to take a pride in our city through horticulture.

On the day of Mr Webster's funeral, members of the Friends Of Norwich in Bloom pay their personal tributes.

• Terry Bane, chairman of the trustees of Friends of Norwich in Bloom and Anglia in Bloom trustee

'I met Bill in 1999, Bill had recently become chairman of FNIB and invited Norwich City Council and myself as horticultural officer to work with his team to enter Norwich into the Anglia in Bloom campaign.

Bill's love of gardening and Norwich was infectious, Bill encouraged and taught me to use my horticultural passion, knowledge and experience and channelled it into community horticulture. With Bill's new action team we soon had lots of horticultural projects up and running, engaging with so many volunteers, schools and businesses.

Norwich Evening News: Britain in Bloom judges greeted by Bill Webster, Chloe Smith and an assortment of Norwich characters at the Assembly House. Photo: Bill SmithBritain in Bloom judges greeted by Bill Webster, Chloe Smith and an assortment of Norwich characters at the Assembly House. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant)

'Bill soon introduced me to Phyllis, Martin and his family, I soon felt I was an adopted son; we had fantastic informal meetings at Friends Road, the enticing cake trolley ever present!

'During our quest together we shared many journeys and proud moments and met so many nice people – Bill the people of Norwich, Anglia and myself will sadly miss you but will always fondly remember you and your 'Bloomin Fantastic' achievements and legacy – God Bless.'

• Julie Brociek-Coulton, secretary of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'Bill's smile when he greeted people warmed the room, his endless paintings that he has painted to give joy to schools, civic holders and in-bloomers were fantastic.

He will be sadly missed and has left a very empty space in our hearts. His stories he told of his life in Norwich were priceless and even if you had heard them over and over again, each time the story was different.

Norwich Evening News: It's official, Norwich is top at the Anglia in Bloom. Norwich won the top honours, First Group Best Overall Entry. From left: Phyllis Webster, Carolyn Dunn, City Centre Manager, Bradley Simmonds, Treasurer and Competition Organiser, Lord Mayor Chris Southgate, Lady Mayoress Jeanne Southgate, Terry Bane, Norwich County Council Hort. Officer and front Bill Webster, Chairman Norwich in Bloom.Picture: Adam Scorey 2003.It's official, Norwich is top at the Anglia in Bloom. Norwich won the top honours, First Group Best Overall Entry. From left: Phyllis Webster, Carolyn Dunn, City Centre Manager, Bradley Simmonds, Treasurer and Competition Organiser, Lord Mayor Chris Southgate, Lady Mayoress Jeanne Southgate, Terry Bane, Norwich County Council Hort. Officer and front Bill Webster, Chairman Norwich in Bloom.Picture: Adam Scorey 2003.

I personally will miss the way he came along to functions with me, judged schools with me and gave plants out to the sheltered housing schemes with me.

Loads of love to Bill, Phyllis and their family xx'

• Steve Buckle, immediate past chairman of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'I don't really believe Bill appreciated the love people had for him, his enthusiasm, his ability to empower others, and his infectious style to encourage so many people in different communities across the whole of Norwich to demonstrate their innovative ideas of planting and to make the city beautiful in Norwich In Bloom.

Bill paid special attention also to schools and he never forgot to record any occasion by his masterful and delightful paintings for which he became well acknowledged.

Norwich Evening News: Bill Webster tribute: Bill with Hewett Under 5s Giant Pumpkin Winners.Bill Webster tribute: Bill with Hewett Under 5s Giant Pumpkin Winners. (Image: submitted)

Bill will be sorely missed but never forgotten for his legacy in helping to make Norwich a fine city and in his exemplary role as ambassador to the Trustees and Friends of Norwich In Bloom.'

• Mike King, president of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'I first met Bill almost 20 years ago when, as general manager of the Assembly House, it seemed obvious there ought to be a partnership between us. It was not long before Bill was suggesting where planting could take place, enhancing and improving the look of the building.

His enthusiasm captured me and my imagination and it was not long before I became a member of FNIB.

Over the years together with Bill and other FNIB stalwarts, I was part of the team that hosted the many and varied presentations and prize-givings. No matter what his health Bill would always be there, his unscripted speeches were legendary and delivered in his wonderful Norwich accent.

Norwich Evening News: Bill and and his wife Phyllis with Norwich in Bloom volunteers at the Assembly House, Norwich, in 2007.Bill and and his wife Phyllis with Norwich in Bloom volunteers at the Assembly House, Norwich, in 2007. (Image: submitted)

He was a wonderful ambassador and an example to all but not least to the many children he encouraged to start gardening through schools projects. He was a true one off and I will miss him enormously.'

• Jo Chiddick, acting chairman and schools liaison officer for the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'The Friends of Norwich in Bloom is about community spirit, bringing all ages together to provide floral displays and environmental involvement which benefits us all. Our friend, Bill Webster, was a long-standing, totally dedicated member of this voluntary group.

Bill was a people's person and could communicate with anyone but his special interest was with schools, students at City College Norwich and all young people. He always said that they are our future and he was right.

He was justly proud of Norwich and its' achievements which have increased beyond belief since 1987 when FNIB became a voluntary group.

As chairman, Bill played a significant part in developing new initiatives and increasing floral display around the city.

He arranged distribution of plants from Norwich City College and the prison to schools and sheltered housing. He was always quick to encourage and praise entrants to our competitions.

He worked tirelessly to ensure Norwich became a truly 'Blooming Marvellous' city. The Friends of Norwich in Bloom must now live up to the challenge of maintaining Bill's dream.'

• Alma Simmonds, a former secretary of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'One of the first meetings we both had was with Terry Bane, the horticultural officer, to see if we could plant more flowers around the City War Memorial. Being an army man this was an important project to William, we did get some planting and this was his first achievement...I have so many memories of William (Phyllis, his wife, introduced him to me as William and he has always been William to me), how proud he was when Norwich won accolades in Anglia in Bloom and Britain In Bloom. There was a visit to Cardiff for the Britain in Bloom presentations when Norwich won a Silver award, how excited he was to think he could come back and show the trophy to city councillors and the people of Norwich.

'William would not want people to be sad but to continue the work for Norwich in Bloom and to make the city the best it can be, I'm sure he will be watching over the 'Bloom' team.

'A man of Norwich who helped to make Norwich a nicer place to live and work in.'

• Sue Harvey, vice chairman of the Friends of Norwich in Bloom

'Bill was a kind man. As a 'new girl' last year, I found him to be very welcoming, I hardly ever saw him without a smile. He presented me with one of his lovely pictures, as he did to many of the people that he met. He was warm and generous, and a font of gardening knowledge until his last day. He will be greatly missed by many.'

• Bob Ollier, chairman of Anglia In Bloom

'Personally I have only known Bill for around 8 years, but during that time it has been a privilege to have known him and worked with him on many Bloom projects connected with Anglia In Bloom.

'When I judged Norwich in Bloom two years ago, Bill as usual made the judges so welcome and also had the ability to make the judges to actually feel part of the Norwich in Bloom entry itself, I recall Bill presenting me with one of his fine paintings, which was of sunflowers. He must have somehow known in advance that sunflowers would be part of this year's Britain In Bloom Golden Theme.

'Bill was the ambassador for Anglia In Bloom, I know that not only myself but all my fellow trustees and judges were proud to have Bill as part of our team, his enthusiasm for in Bloom was second to none and was infectious to us all in so many ways, we will certainly miss Bill so much and we send all our love to Phyllis and the family.'

• Mr Webster's funeral is at Earlham Crematorium today (Wednesday, October 29) at 12.45pm.