George with Friar Park gardeners and other staff, in a photo from a 2012 TRACKS and Julien’s auction (posted some years ago with details from the letter of authenticity), likely photographed by Olivia.
“Konrad Engbers [founder of a garden center] recalls how George visited the centre just after he started. ‘He came in to see me and asked how things were. I told him it was a little slow and he said “I’ll give it a little push for you.” He then bought almost every tree I had in stock and first thing the next day a motorcycle courier turned up with payment. ‘Ever since then he was one of my most loyal and regular customers.’ […] ‘He would wait in the queue, take his turn and never expected any preferential treatment.’ […] ‘He was such a kind man with no airs and graces — a man with a truly big heart.’” - Henley Standard (December 2001) “[Derek Mann, former head gardener at Friar Park] said that George was a kind and gentle man, who was genuine and totally unpretentious. ‘I first met George and his wife Olivia when I was working as a gardener at a hotel in the Virgin Islands,’ said Derek. ‘I took them on a guided tour of the grounds and we spoke at length about gardening. He said that if I was to come back to the UK to get in touch and he would give me a job. ‘When I returned he was as good as his word and I started at Friar Park in 1991. ‘We would regularly walk around the grounds together so he could tell me what he wanted done. Sometimes he would have a ukulele with him and play a few chords while we wandered around. ‘There were a couple of spots in the garden where George would sit, watch the sun go down and meditate. There I planted night scented stock plants, which gave off a very strong perfume. He thanked me and said it reminded him of his mother who used to plant the same flowers in their council house home.’ Derek, who was forced to retire due to ill-health in 1994, recalls seeing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at Friar Park, ‘They always seemed to get on extremely well,’ he said. ‘The tennis star John McEnroe paid a visit once. He played a few sets with George, Olivia and their son Dhani on their own court in the gardens.” - ibid
