Tributes paid to 'stalwart' writer killed in Edmonton crash (From Enfield Independent)

Tributes paid to 'stalwart' writer Bill Looker killed in Edmonton crash

2:36pm Monday 13th August 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

Tributes have been paid to an 82-year-old writer killed in a car crash in Edmonton on Friday night.

Bill Looker, of Edmonton, died at around 10.30pm on Friday in Great Cambridge Road at the junction with Bury Street West after being hit by a black Mercedes as he was leaving a meeting of the Salisbury House Poets group.

Mr Looker had been a member of the group, as well as the Salisbury House Writers club, for 20 years and was a regular at the groups’ meetings where recited poetry and sang.

The founder of the poet group, Anthony Fisher, said he was “a very principled man” who would be missed.

He added: “He was a great man – but he was the kind of person who was very modest.”

The driver of the car involved in the crash, a man in his 30s, stopped at the scene and was arrested and bailed to return to a police station in connection with the incident.

Locals interviewed by the Enfield Independent have called for the “dangerous” crossing to be made safer.

Councillor Jayne Buckland, who championed the arts during her year as Mayor of Enfield, paid tribute to Mr Looker and said she was upset to hear the news.

She said: “He’s one of the stalwarts of Salisbury House Poets and he was a great contributor to the Friday evenings there and that’s where he was the evening that he passed.

“I’m shocked and very saddened but at the same time I’m so pleased that everyone was able to hear him one more time.”

Detectives are calling for anyone with any information which may help their investigation to get in contact.