Edgar Brennan, one of the (numerous) great characters of the Bush House newsroom for many years, has died at the age of 80.

An Irishman with a great love of the English language, he is remembered as a stylist and a dedicated servant to the “old” BBC.

He believed in carefully chosen words and simple sentence construction, not least because radio reception in most parts of the world at that time was generally poor.  Clarity of meaning was essential.

Anyone who fell short of his standards could expect to be challenged.  As one colleague recalls:  “Edgar would pursue a point relentlessly, and not necessarily with great tact, until it was resolved to his satisfaction.”

He had a goonish sense of humour.  As another colleague put it:  “How many imitations of a 1945 Dublin tram can you handle on a dawn shift?”

The funeral will take place at the church of St John the
Evangelist at the junction of Auckland Road and Sylvan Rd Upper Norwood  SE19 on 24 May at 3 pm.

I remember Edgar Brennan from the Broadcasting House newsroom in the years between 1964 and 67.  As a raw,young (25 years old) rather pompous and inexperienced-in-life man (Home Service newsreader) I found his, to me, strange sense of humour rather frightening.  It seemed almost manic. His eyes glistened with impish delight. He teased me unmercifully.  I seem to recall him wearing rough, dark grey, three piece tweed suits. His dark hair seemed like an untrimmed  bush on his head. With age and in restrospect, I see him as a friendly, delightful,  kindly man with a first class mind, high standards and a unique approach to life. I am sorry that in the intervening years I had not the privilege of knowing him better.  May he rest in peace.   I only saw his obit today 23 May and only wish I'd seen it sooner - I would have gone to his funeral.    

PS: I am not sure how the "star" sytem works and seem to have only given Edgar one star; it should have been 5+.