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Touched by the wings of genius In a special tribute former colleague and friend recounts the days of a famous journalistic partnership and says Willie was 'truly a rare man, touched by the wings of genius'. Great love of beer and a sweet tooth for puddings Coaxed into telling a good story, Robbie recounts the tale of the African party that had to be boosted by a few bottles of Ethiopian sherry! A close family friend recounts a passion for beer, a sweet tooth for puddings and an ability to tell a great yarn. Kindly, calm, cheerful and a real 'good companion' How a former Deputy and Managing Editor of The Times Business News recalls his modest colleague' Best person, bar none, under pressure A former colleague at The Times recounts how he signed his boss's expenses because a cashier failed to believe the status of a scruffy looking journalist after a busy night working when the 'best person, bar none, under pressure' was Willie. Great chief sub and excellent mentor Moving south to educate the unwashed in the art and craft of newspaper production. So many 'happy memories of his company and comradeship'. Tea, chocolate bars and a poison attempt How a former Carrick Gazette colleague recalls her friendship and memories of tea, chocolate bars and an alleged poison attempt!
Touched by the wings of genius WILLIE was truly the greatest of friends, and one could not have wished for more than that. He was an inspiration to us all, and on a personal level, the most professional (and wisest) journalist I ever met, not to mention the most generous.
When Willie was bound for Africa to sort out the Aga Khan's problems, he telephoned me in Hampshire and asked: "Fancy doing a Cloughie and Taylor over there?" I hesitated and eventually said No. What a foolish rejection! It was one of many decisions I came to regret. I don't think I worked with anyone in newspapers who could analyse a problem as quickly as Willie and then go on to solve it. He was nearly always right, and the great thing was to talk about those decisions in the supper break over a beer or two - in a pub called The Apple Tree, behind The Times in Grays Inn Road - and muse about what might have been had we (he) decided to do things differently. He was truly a rare man, touched by the wings of genius. You have only to think what he achieved outside of newspapers, let alone within newspapers, to understand the full measure of that genius. My life in newspapers would have been so much the poorer without him. And God, I miss his company now. Austin Wormleighton, colleague on The Times Great love of beer and a sweet tooth for puddings I HAVE lots of really nice memories of Robbie, or has Fergus would say Grandad Robbie which go back to when he used to first visit Derbyshire at Christmas.
It was on one of these such visits that I had volunteered to drive Drew and his Dad for a few beers! And it was not until we had been out a few times that Drew broke it to me that Robbie was a terrible car traveller, and even the shortest journeys in the back of a car could make him feel ill. This summed up Robbie in a small sort of way, always kind and polite and not wanting to upset or put anyone out. Robbie always told a good story, but usually they had to be coaxed out of him, for he was a quite man and very modest. My all time favourite story of Robbie's was when he was working in Africa. A party was being held, booze was running low until a friend turned up with several bottles of Ethiopian sherry he had acquired off the locals. When Robbie used to tell this story his eyes used to get larger almost in terror and he would go on to explain how this most volatile of drinks got the party off to a real swing with everyone having hangovers that lasted days. I would one day love to try a glass of this most powerful beverage and toast the memories of my old mate Robbie! Roy Painter , close family friend Kindly, calm, cheerful and a real 'good companion' WILLIE had many virtues. He was kindly, he was calm, he was cheerful, he was a real "good companion" and above all he was modest. Many of those who worked with him on The Times Business News had no real idea, until the obituaries appeared, of how varied and distinguished a career he had enjoyed. In the end, he travelled back north to continue pursuing his craft in the calmer and more leisurely waters of local journalism, where he began. We miss him sorely and we will not forget him Dennis Topping, former Deputy and Managing Editor, The Times Business News Best person, bar none, under pressure I WORKED with Willie on The Times and he was the best person, bar none, that I've ever seen when under pressure. He might talk a bit faster, but nothing panicked him. He also taught me a lot about how to get the best out of people: not, as all too many people did (and still do) on Fleet Street, by shouting at them and trying to humiliate them in public, but by encouraging and praising. Willie was never a sharp dresser. If he put on a token tie, it would soon be off. Usually you saw him in shirtsleeves, his then ample belly flopping over a pair of scruffy trousers. This gave him problems one night. At The Times, you would go down to cashiers to get your expenses (yup, subs getting expenses) and I was behind Willie in the queue. When Willie pushed his chit forward, the cashier said: "You've got to have this signed by your head of department." Willie (scruffy as ever, a bit sweaty from a busy night) said: "I am the head of department." The cashier replied: "Come off it, Jock." And Willie, because that was how he was, turned to me and said: "Keith, can you sign my expenses?" And that's the story of how I approved my boss's expenses. Keith Elliott, former colleague, The Times Business News Great chief sub and excellent mentor WILLIE was a great chief sub and an excellent mentor. He was very much a one-off and every inch a character in the great tradition of Scottish journos who moved south to educate the unwashed in the art and craft of newspaper production. He led a full and interesting life and I have so many happy memories of his company and comradeship. Peter Hill, Times Business News as a reporter ( and latterly as industrial editor) between November 1969 and April 1982 WE did have some laughs when we were working together and were often giggling - so much so we had to have five minute silences to get some work done! Tea and chocolate bars always went down well, but when I forgot to put sugar in his tea - he would claim I was trying to poison him! He also alleged that I would finish his sentences - which is how he ended up writing the gardening column! They were good times. Deborah Anderson, colleague on the Carrick Gazette, Girvan, where Willie loved editing this local newspaper. We would be delighted to include your memories, please send you e-mails to lovingmemories@robertsonmedia.co.uk
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