Farewell, Me Oul’ Flower

Stan gets close to the hedge

ou’d never guess that Stan Paine was related to the town’s most noted historians, Derek Paine and his son, Gary.

The latter two have gifted Greystones with eight volumes of our shared past, often going from door to door in those early years to collect photographs, stories and documents to fill out their invaluable books.

For his part, Stan preferred to keep himself to himself.

To the point that our continued attempts over the last 10 years to get even one word out of the man about his much-loved nursery up on Jinx Hill have been met with a consistent thanks, but no thanks.

And so, when we heard the Greystones Table Tennis Player Of The Year 1986 was hanging up his shears, well, we immediately got in touch. Surely, Greystones’s longest-standing Flower Child would want to say goodbye…? Now that thyme was on his side.

Kieran Russell, Stan, Kay Grimes & Geoff Wright

Not quite. We were politely informed by intermediary Gary that this particular Paine clan – Stan, Barbara and Tanya – would rather “bow out with any fanfare”. Lest too many people should swing by. And get all mushy on them.

So, now that the garden gate has been firmly shut, let’s just wish Stan and co a very happy – and sweet-smelling – retirement.

And if you ever get bored, Stan, and feel like having a chat about your Greystones memories, you know where we are…