Adrian Hailer RIP

Whilst in India l recieved the sad news that Adrian had died, on Jan 21st. Many Esperazannaise knew him and Maggie, his wife; they had a holiday home in Roumanichou. They loved walking - it was Adrians passion - and they loved their house which they painstakingly restored.

I met them in the early 1970's when I lived in Fulham and Adrian worked as a catholic priest. His theology was very advanced for the day and eventually he left the church to work as the co-ordinator for the voluntary sector in Slough. There he was massively effective and much happier as a worker, without the hierarchical and (some might say) oppresive nature of the church. He never lost his faith though and contuned to practice after  being released from his vows.

In the fulness of time he and Maggie were married and Adrian found himself stepfather to three kids. A VERY full life from the protected seclusion of the priesthood to the hurly-burly of family, home, work - his excelllent good humour and joyful spirit never waivered.

There was a problem with his spleen... one day he walked into Hammersmith hospital, agreed to take an experimental drug, and never walked again. A most cruel trick of fate. His brain was as nifty as ever but his body was immobalised. Maggie worked 24/7 caring for him and fighting to get some sort of  acknowledgement from the drug company. Her perseverance was eventually rewarded but not by much - there was a settlement. After a bit of specialist treatment it didn't go far.

Despite his suffering - he was in pain - he could talk a little, continued to write poetry and delight his friends with his advice, observations, wry humour.

He'll be missed.