The news that Anthony died hit me hard. I became acquainted with him through his partner. Sarah was a valuable member of staff at Midsomer Norton’s Silver Street veterinary practice. As the owner of 2 horses and a pony kept in nearby Chilcompton, I called on Silver Street’s services all too frequently and when that happens, you get friendly with the practice.
Some years later, when some scenes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer were filmed at Anthony’s house just outside Timsbury, I was invited along and met Alyson Hannigan, who featured in those scenes with Anthony.
Years later, when Anthony and Sarah moved to the farm at Marksbury and gained more land than they’d had at Timsbury, Anthony and Sarah hosted an annual horse show where my daughter (now rising 29 years old) received a prize in a pony club class on her Shetland.
I have many memories of Anthony, some fondly centred around sessions at the Fox and Badger in Wellow followed, inevitably, by the reviving qualities of the All Day Breakfast in the Tesco café in Midsomer Norton. He was a brilliant man who took so many things seriously (whilst others he took with a generous pinch of salt and a sprinkling of good humour). My one enduring memory of Anthony is of a truly nice guy.
My thoughts and best wishes are with his family.