Bryan Williamson

For those who knew Bryan Williamson, past Hebden Bridge resident, thinker, independent quipper, anarcho syndicalist libertarian, 5-a-side footballer, poetry buff and typesetter extraordinaire . . . his family thought you'd want to know that Bryan died from a sudden heart attack on May 25th 2009 in Frome, Somerset.

Bryan moved to Hebden Bridge from Rochdale, where he had worked for the Rochdale Alternative Press. He always felt particularly well-suited to an environment where - he maintained - a quarter of the population were poets by night and plumbers by day.

He set up as an independent typesetter in the Old Fire Station in Todmorden, premises shared with Tony Ward and the Arc & Throstle Press and later met Asa Benveniste, poet and friend, who introduced him to Carcanet Press in Manchester, with whom he began a 15 year working relationship.

Bryan was noted for his sensitive and professional typesetting of poetry and typeset many books for Carcanet as well as a number of books for Bloodaxe and Enitharmon Press. He was an enthusiastic supporter of local institutions such as the Albert Pub and the diversely talented and much-bearded 5-a-side football team and helped in the establishing of the Calder Valley Press.

Bryan gradually became a well-known figure in town in the early 80s, sometimes exasperating, sometimes inspiring, but invariably engaging those who knew him with his irreverent approach to life, unique interpretation of fashion and great capacity for friendship.

Bryan, Gilly and Jenny

Bryan, Anna and Jo

Bryan and Daisy

Bryan and Kate