Baron Bernard Willems

	Baron Bernard Willems and one of his paintings.

Baron Bernard Willems - yes, he is a real live baron - has had a fascinating life. Born to a Belgian father and an English mother, he was marooned in Belgium during the second World War where he used his linguistic skills to help the Resistance. Picked up 22 times by the Gestapo, he eventually went into hiding, where he met the girl who became his wife.

Although he was an artist, he was thoroughly practical and for a time made his living by making aluminium convection heaters, but then almost by accident fell into teaching art full time. At the age of 87, he still teaches art but now on a voluntary basis for the sheer fun of it.