If you love #gardens #trees and #creamteas then come to the #NationalGardensScheme Sunday 19th (2-6pm) at the Gliffaes Hotel, Crickhowell.
Nick Brabner 1938 -2011
- Posted on Friday, July 8th, 2011
- by James Suter
- Uncategorised
It is with a huge sense of sadness that I have to write about the very sudden and tragic death of Nick Brabner, who died of a stroke on Wednesday 6th July at only 72. It was Nick’s parents who started Gliffaes in 1948 and from then on Gliffaes was home for him. After 15 years in the steel industry Nick and Peta took over the running of Gliffaes in 1973 and Nick, pretty much single handedly, added bathrooms to every bedroom and took the hotel up several gears. He and Peta carried on running the hotel until Susie (his daughter) and I took over in 1997. He was a great hotelier and ran the hotel with a wonderfully light touch and it is to his credit that we are still flourishing 63 years on.
Although we took over the running of the hotel, Nick was still very much in charge of the gardens and the river and it is thanks to him that our grounds are so spectacular. He had a great knowledge of plants, and trees especially, and liked nothing better than an afternoon with a chainsaw, his dogs never far away.He loved to stop and chat to guests as he cut the lawns on the mower, happy to be considered as ‘just the gardner’. If anything in the hotel broke, leaked, dripped, caught fire, got bent, Nick would know exactly what to do and under which floor board was some hidden valve or switch. His work shop is full of strange rusty tools which he always stopped me from throwing away as they all have their uses, even if it was only once in a blue moon.
Nick loved fishing and shooting and he did not just take part, he gave an enormous amount back in time and effort, especially to fishing. He was a tireless campaigner for improving the lot of the river Usk and Wye. As chairman of the United Usk Fishermen’s Association for over 25 years he defeated the proposed building of the Usk barrage in 1996 and later became a trustee of the Wye and Usk Foundation and was heavily involved in all their campaigns. He believed passionately in the long term rejuvenation of the rivers and their tributaries and had little time for short term quick fixes like stocking the rivers.
Above all Nick was great fun, he had a wonderful, irreverent sense of humour and he will be missed by all of us at Gliffaes, but his legacy will live on and is plain to see as you enter the gates to Gliffaes and just look around.
Thank you to everyone who has called or written in sympathy. Peta, Susie, Alexandra, Olivia and I appreciate your kind thoughts greatly. There will be a service of thanksgiving at 2.30pm on Monday 8th August at St Edmunds church in Crickhowell and afterwards at Gliffaes.
James please pass on my condolences to the family. The tribute you have written to Nick really sums up the character I got to know in my time on the UUFA Committeee. He was passionate about the Usk and his knowledge of the river made him an outstanding spokesman on all matters regarding the river. He will be sorely missed by those like myself who have worked with him on the various committees he sat on.
Tony Rees on August 3, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I am greatly saddened to learn of Nick’s death and extend to Peta, Susie and to all members of Nick’s family my heartfelt sympathy. He will be missed, but has fully justified James’ loving and sincere tribute.
Robert Horner on July 24, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Dear Peta and Family
So sorry to hear about your suddenly lost of a remarkable man. Heaven will now be a better place for his prescence and our world a little bit worst for his abscence.
Kindest Regards
Neil Allan
Neil Allan on July 19, 2011 at 1:51 am
To Peta and Suzie. It was with great sadness that we heard about Nick. We were just the other day talking about our time working at the Gliffaes hotel. Although it was only a short couple of months it is etched in our memories with fondness. We are still in contact with friends made while working there some 15 years ago. Nick was always a firm but fair person to work for and our sympathy goes to Peta and the family at this time of loss. May God comfort you at this time.
Regards
Simon and Heather Tilley
Simon and Heather Tilley on July 17, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Dear Susie and James,
How very sad for you all that Nick has died. So unexpected and far too early. He was a great guy and always very friendly to us.
There is no consolation at a time like this though his spirit will live on at Gliffaes in all the wonders of that magical place.
Our thoughts are with and your family.
With Best Wishes
Susann and Peter Wheadon
Susann & Peter Wheadon on July 11, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Dear James,
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. I was going to say “it made him come alive” and if only it could. The world, or at least our delightful part of it, is lessened by his going. xx
Robin and Liza Watson on July 11, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Dear Susie and James,
We were so sorry to hear the sad news about Nick.
We have only visited Gliffaes twice so far, so we’re still “newbies” compared to many of your other guests, but on both occasions we’ve very much enjoyed chatting with Nick – mostly about birds, bats and machinery. He always seemed to be around and had lots of interesting and funny things to say, and we will miss him very much when we next come to stay.
In the meantime, our very best wishes to you and your family – you are all in our thoughts.
With kind regards,
Alister and Helen Thompson
Helen Thompson on July 11, 2011 at 11:39 am
James, This is a magnificent and beautifully written tribute to Nick. How we all will miss him.
I wish I was there with all of you, but Peta said she will need me later. Love, Priscilla
Priscilla Mcostrich on July 10, 2011 at 7:13 pm
We will not forget you Nick and we will think of you every time we smile at the beauty of Gliffaes that will outlive all of us. God bless x
Robbie Lewis on July 10, 2011 at 10:19 am