Most of our members will now have heard the sad news that Jillian Smith, Chair of CABAHS for many years, has died after a long illness. Many of us will be familiar with her beautiful garden in Winn Road which she opened for charity several times and which became something of an occasion, with tea and cake taken to the many seating areas dotted around the garden.
In addition to chairing the Society, Jillian also organised the annual outings and judged the Shows: no small task. Her horticultural knowledge and expertise were second to none and always delivered with grace and humour. We were lucky enough to welcome her back to judge our Autumn Show in 2025, the year of our anniversary. To honour the immense contribution Jillian made to CABAHS she was made one of our Vice Presidents on her retirement.
People live on in many different ways. Many of us now have plants in our gardens which were from Jillian – she was always generous with her donations and until recently was still contributing plants to our annual plant sales. Walking around our gardens there will often be a plant that we describe as “Jillian’s”. It is a terrific legacy to have left to us.
Jillian and Geoff Smith in their garden at Winn Rd with HRH The Queen Mother, 1975 
Jillian setting up the CABAHS Courtyard Garden, Chelsea Flower Show 1991 
Jillian in a Christmas hat, 1994 
Jillian with Joe Swift at Blackheath Hall, 2016 
Jillian at the CABAHS Spring Show 2018 
Jillian judging the CABAHS Autumn Show, August 2025
Jillian Smith
CABAHS Shows Secretary 1974-83
CABAHS Chair 1984-93
CABAHS Vice-Chair 1997-2006
CABAHS Chair 2006-2016
Vija V
Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society 