Andy "Ticker" Buchan 1973-2003

In Memoriam

It is likely that very few people who read this will ever have heard of Andy. Indeed, even if you had visited the beer festival in the past, you probably wouldn't have noticed him. He was just that kind of guy, working away in the background, quietly (usually!) enjoying one of his greatest pleasures - real ale.

But actually he has touched the lives of some fifteen thousand earlier festival visitors. Drawing on his vast knowledge acquired over many weekends and through his other contacts, Andy was instrumental in selecting the beers and ensuring each one had a helpful description in the programme. Old breweries, new breweries, closed breweries. Good beers, bad beers, beers he hadn't tried but would like to. He knew them all. And he made sure that the selection offered at Worcester was always the best available.

Since 2003 though, Andy has not been around to pass on his knowledge. He died at home just before Christmas 2003 following a diabetic coma at the tragically early age of just 30. He is greatly missed by all those who were close and who knew him.

For subsequent festival beer orders, efforts have been made to try to provide the same up-to-date range and quality as could be achieved when Andy was around but it has been done with a heavy heart. It is just not the same without his sheer enthusiasm and gentle good humour. However, he has left a legacy that we must do our utmost to sustain. We should raise our glasses to someone without whom the Worcester Beer Festival would not have become the success that it has. Here's to you Ticker, you are fondly remembered by us all.

Last updated 4.9.2008