I only met Barrie a couple of times in the early 90s, when I was living in Walsall. My ex-husband was still working in the regional press, and he had to interview Barrie for a story he was writing. He was such an amazing character that my husband arranged to interview him in the evening, so I'd have a chance to meet him! He had a penchant for a good Chinese, as I recall - we had dinner with him twice, and his huge personality kept us truly entertained. I remember him going off on a tangent about JFK, and we talked for ages about ghosts - I've still got my copy of Midlands Ghosts and Hauntings.

I never knew at the time about his folk connections - interesting how things sometimes come full circle, isn't it? RIP, Barrie.