I met Brian in 1973 when we started our Post Office Telephones apprenticeship in Brighton.  We chatted and became friends with a shared interest in music.  We went to many concerts - -new bands and established acts – our music tastes were quite diverse.  I recall queuing for tickets for Elton John at the Dome.  I was there from an early hour and Brian said he would bring me some refreshments, which he did – a bit later than planned because he’d had a crash in his van!  This shared love of music was always an important part of our friendship.

In 1981 we had a holiday on the Mediterranean coast of the south of France.  We drove down in Brian’s, fairly new, Talbot Avenger.  We had a great time.  It was very hot and sunny – a bit too hot for the paintwork of Brian’s car, which became dull and started to peel off some weeks later.

Wendy and I married in 1984 and I asked Brian to be my Best Man.  He agreed straight away, then thought about it and said, “I’ve just realised, that means I’ve got to give a speech!  Oh no!”.  Of course, his speech was absolutely fine.  And he’d even managed to shave that day!

We enjoyed good times together as our families grew up – days out, kid’s parties, holidays – Barcelona was fantastic.  In recent years I enjoyed our trips to watch Fulham play.  I remember his elation at Wembley when Fulham scored the winner against Aston Villa in the 2018 play-off match.

I benefitted from Brian’s skills as a gardener.  Not just the supply of tomato plants, but also what to do with them to get a good crop, (gardening is not my thing).

Brian was a good and loyal friend - always the joker and good-natured mickey taker - but the thing I will remember most about him was his dedication to family.  Not just Teresa, Claire, Charlie and Quinn, but also to his wider family – cousins, nephews, nieces et al.  For Brian, it was important to keep in touch with, and include, all his family members in celebrations and gatherings – it meant a lot to him.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Martin