We first met Huw over 30 years ago at school pick up time when my husband overheard him, in that brilliant Welsh accent, patiently explaining to his young son that he couldn't have a new reading book from school every day.... We became good friends with Huw and Eileen for many years in Rugby through PTA connections and then through friendship. I would invite him into school to speak to the sixth form and wait in some anticipation and apprehension to hear what he'd say. He was fabulous. Funny, clever, unpredictable, so interested in everything. He set us on a now well-trodden path to the Hay Festival when we first saw him on stage, effortlessly and brilliantly interviewing his peers in a debate about the most significant place in Welsh history, so knowledgeable, confident and witty. We were really sad to gradually lose Huw after he moved to Swansea, when his life changed so radically. We miss him and we send our sincere condolences to all of his family in the loss of a man who was genuinely brilliant, academically of course but also, personally as a great friend.
Mary & Peter Watts
20/06/2026
