Colin, you showed me how to do the job in 1976 on my first day at Steetley's when I spent my initial week wondering what the hell I had got into. Our paths crisscrossed over the years and I like to think that I learnt from you how to get your own way but leave the other person thinking they had got theirs.

By 1986 we were colleagues again and you helped explain the vagaries of the waste industry to me and the importance of attending the annual conference in Torbay and how to pretend you did not have a hang over for three days.

You helped me again in 2012/3 by training some of my staff and I knew that they would only learn what they would need and not go off on some academic wild goose chase.

It goes without saying that I am sorry to loose you and that John informing me this week that instead of us getting together for a reunion we will be doing so only to remember absent friends was desperately sad.

I hope you have found peace, RIP old friend

Richard