All of us at BBR who knew Bill were immensely saddened by news of  his untimely death.

 I first met him in the Walnut Tree Inn at Abergavenny, sitting alone in front of a huge plate of mussels , washed down with a bottle of Chablis (Bill didn’t do halves, in any aspect of his life).

He was one of those rare people who, when they entered a room, surged in on the back of a gale of bonhomie, laughter and sharp wit. His knowledge of wine was vast, and his opinions always trenchantly expressed, and he was at his best, seated at table amongst friends, enjoying fine food and wine, fearlessly holding forth on any subject which came to mind.

They certainly broke the mould when they made Bill and his presence will be sorely missed.