Ray was at core of perry making.

(From Bristol Evening Post)

Byline: Ray Williams

APPLE blossom will soon be out, pear blossom too, and almost everywhere where cider apples and perry pear trees are cared for, growers will have thoughts of Ray Williams," says Peter Brown.

A much-respected pomologist, Ray later wrote a book about perry pears, a subject on which he was an expert.

"He recorded 60 varieties of them, and was consulted by cider firms, becoming known over most of the fruit tree world," Peter adds.

"National collections of perry pear trees at the Three Counties Show Ground and the Horticultural Heritage Centre near Gloucester were inspired by his research.

"The …