Shock and sadness hit the Stan’s Cafe office earlier this week as Craig’s Twitter antenna picked up the shocking news of Adrian Howell’s death.

I’m not going to gush here because I only met Adrian a few times and so barely knew him. I respected what I knew of his work but never experienced it. With the limited capacity of those pieces I had access to there was always a queue and I always felt others would get more from it than me. But he was always very friendly and great company. Reading the heartfelt tributes from so many people is moving, not least because it is a stark reminder of how difficult it can be for some to truly access the love that surrounds them.

I am grateful to Robert Pacitti for digging out this excellent obituary in The Scotsman. It filled in lots of gaps I knew nothing of. I am also grateful to Andy Field for writing this lovely piece in The Guardian.

It is good to see Adrian publicly acknowledged as he is privately appreciated. I will miss him in my own small way but my heart goes out to all those who are grieving. In a grim irony with Adrian gone they need someone to embrace them.