Dr. Bill Maddams RIP Solved
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For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
Dr. Bill Maddams RIP
I am saddened to have to let you all know that the Vice President of our Society, Dr. Bill Maddams, died this morning. Over a period of more than 60 years, he had been an enthusiast of the genus Mammillaria and did much work for the Mammillaria Society, the Cactus & Succulent Society of Great Britain and the BCSS, being the current Chair of the Conservation Committee. At the local level, he had been Secretary of the North Surrey Branch since its inception and I last saw him last Wednesday to collect items for the Branch meeting because he did not feel well enough to attend, a very rare occurrence. I have no further details at the present time - Terry Smale.
Dr W.F.Maddams
A huge shock to hear that Dr Bill Maddams passed away this morning.
John E
John E
I have been growing C & S since 1968. A lot of my plants were imports in the early 1970s. I am a Crawley branch member sometimes!
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Herts Mike
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 4315
- Joined: 20 Sep 2007
- Branch: LEA VALLEY
- Country: Uk
Re: Dr W.F.Maddams
I am so sorry. He was one of the first people to take interest in me as a teenage collector at the old BCSS London branch. I was in awe of him.
RIP.
RIP.
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Tony R
- Moderator
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- Joined: 20 Apr 2009
- Branch: CAMBRIDGE
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Hartley, LONGFIELD, Kent
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams
What terribly sad news at the start of the year. It was Bill and his writings that first got me interested in mammillarias at the beginning of my hobby. Sincere condolences to all concerned.
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
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Chris43
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2574
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: HIGH WYCOMBE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Vice Chair
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams
It is very sad news indeed. I've known Bill for a number of years, and was encouraged and enthused by his energy and determination. His contribution to our hobby is immense, both through the BCSS and the Mammillaria Society. He will be sorely missed.
Chris, Chinnor, Oxon, UK
Mammillaria enthusiast
BCSS High Wycombe Branch.
http://www.woodedge.me.uk/Home.html
Mammillaria enthusiast
BCSS High Wycombe Branch.
http://www.woodedge.me.uk/Home.html
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David_K
- Posts: 949
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: NORTHAMPTON & MILTON KEYNES
- Country: ENGLAND
- Role within the BCSS: Secretary
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams
Very sad news indeed. I have known Bill for around 50 years and served part of my time as Treasurer with him as Chairman. He was a person we all respected for his depth of knowledge and commitment to the hobby even if we struggled to understand some of the complexities of his dealings with DEFRA and other government organisations in the furtherance of conservation.
The Society and the hobby world wide will be a poorer place without him.
David Kirkbright
Society Treasurer
The Society and the hobby world wide will be a poorer place without him.
David Kirkbright
Society Treasurer
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Geoff Lovell
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 1357
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: CROYDON
- Country: England
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams
Indeed, very sad news.
My condolences to friends and family.
My condolences to friends and family.
Founder member BCSS # 32426,
Growing Cacti and Succulents for over 40 years,
mixed collection but prefer succulents particularly caudiciforms.
Growing Cacti and Succulents for over 40 years,
mixed collection but prefer succulents particularly caudiciforms.
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Al Laius
- BCSS Journal Editor
- Posts: 365
- Joined: 14 Oct 2010
- Branch: SOUTH WALES
- Country: Wales
- Role within the BCSS: Membership Secretary
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams Solved
I was shocked and saddened by this news when I heard it earlier today. Bill was a true scholar and a gentleman.
Condolences to the family.
Al
Condolences to the family.
Al
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams RIP
Very sad news, the society will the poorer for his passing.
Bill
Bill
_______________________________________________________________________________
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
Haworthiad Editor
Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
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delandmo
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 190
- Joined: 23 Nov 2011
- Branch: NORTH SURREY
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Re: Dr. Bill Maddams RIP
Maureen and I are very shocked and saddened by the passing of Bill and our hearts go out to his wife and family.
Bill, like many have said before, was passionate about the genus Mammillaria, and extremely knowledgeable on all types of cacti as well. It was Bill and Betty's greenhouses that I was fortunate enough to visit on many occasions when i started growing cacti back in the early 70s and I was always in awe of Bill's magnificent collection of mammillarias. I always turned to Bill for advice regarding the genus and was in correspondence with him up until recently. Sadly I was still awaiting a reply from him on his views of a particular plant. It seems ironical now, but in recent years Bill could never manage to attend our clubs Christmas dinners because the date clashed with his reunion dinners with his pals at BP. This Christmas the dates for some reason didn't clash and Maureen and I were able to pick him up in our car and take him there. His last meeting with his fellow club members. Farewell Bill.
Bill, like many have said before, was passionate about the genus Mammillaria, and extremely knowledgeable on all types of cacti as well. It was Bill and Betty's greenhouses that I was fortunate enough to visit on many occasions when i started growing cacti back in the early 70s and I was always in awe of Bill's magnificent collection of mammillarias. I always turned to Bill for advice regarding the genus and was in correspondence with him up until recently. Sadly I was still awaiting a reply from him on his views of a particular plant. It seems ironical now, but in recent years Bill could never manage to attend our clubs Christmas dinners because the date clashed with his reunion dinners with his pals at BP. This Christmas the dates for some reason didn't clash and Maureen and I were able to pick him up in our car and take him there. His last meeting with his fellow club members. Farewell Bill.