James, so very generous with his love, commitment and time as a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. A social being, he loved to be with people especially if it involved talking, eating and drinking. There was a constant kitchen project being worked on – stock, bread, jams, soups as well as the thoughtful slow cooking and sharing of many thousands of meals.
A wide-ranging passion for music from Bach to the Pet Shop Boys; from Steve Reich to Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. His love of music was open, he was happy to be led by recommendations while also being keen to share his own favourites. He would spend hours crafting eclectic playlists – a series he called ‘Old men dancing’, for the many, many parties he hosted over the years (only getting slightly annoyed when people would skip some of the country & western). He also loved live music, taking his sister Kitty and friends to early Byrds concerts in the 70s, going with his teenage children to see Scissor Sisters in the mid 2000s, and in more recent years, multiple Glastonbury trips with lots of family and friends.
A love of travel and journey planning made for countless days out and holidays with family and friends. His ‘this will definitely be a shortcut’ which proved to be anything but, when out walking or driving was legendary. Holidays might just be a quick break or further afield to celebrate some birthday or anniversary milestone. All so much enjoyed, so full of laughter and, of course, wonderful food and drink.
Always the cleverest in the room by some margin with an extraordinary memory for facts and details, he wore his vast range of knowledge and analytical abilities lightly. His intelligence expressed itself in curiosity, interest and engagement with current affairs and he was always up for a vigorous discussion. Witty and elegant in both the spoken and written word James could ever be relied on to help explain complex issues effortlessly with articulacy.
James is so much missed by us all, but we have countless happy memories of our time with him, the sharing of these with one another keeps his spirit alive.