Arthur Summerfield

Arthur James Summerfield (1905 - 1986)

 

Arthur Summerfield was born in West Ham on 16th April 1905, and joined the Company from Berkel on 2nd April 1945.  He worked as a service engineer in North London until his early retirement due to ill health in February 1968.

 

He was a regular contributor to the Lion News and a keen gardener, gaining many awards for his vegetables and flowers.  In September 1963 the Lion News reported ‘the remarkable success of Mr. A.J. Summerfield and his family in the recent Horticultural Show at Ruislip.  Mr. Summerfield gained the "Garden News Shield” with a total of 18 awards out of 19 entries, including 5 Firsts.  Mrs. Summerfield won a cup in the Floral Section, and their daughter a cup in the Vegetable and Flower Section, and also an R.H.S. Bronze Medal.  We hope the "veg” was weighed on a Lion Scale!’

 

In 1981 he had cataract operations on both eyes, but complications ensued.  However a follow up operation in 1985 was wholly successful and he regained his sight.

 

In 1985 he won a bottle of champagne in a Lion News competition to find a new slogan for the Company, with ‘Leading Is Our Concern’.  Rejected slogans included ‘I did it my weigh with a Lion’ and ‘Herberts do it on a grand scale’!

 

Arthur died on 14th September 1986 at his home in Ruislip.