Chris’ Bif’ Wilkins was a character of his year group, joining Macquarie Division in the senior school in 1979. Bif quickly showed himself adept at sport excelling at cricket as a batsman; rugby as a centre, and hockey as a centre forward. The Log, school magazine of the time reports in 1982 that of the 33 goals scored by the unbeaten Colts in hockey that season, Bif scored 18. He was also more widely recognised on the parade ground joining the drum corps as the lion-skin clad bass drummer.

On leaving school he continued education at College in Havant where he studied Business Studies and for a few years thereafter moved between the south coast Hayling Island area and France before settling in Bath. He established himself in antiques, which subsequently evolved into starting a successful business – Pinkney Green Fireplaces, supplying and fitting Bath stone fire surrounds and stoves in the west country as well as across England, Wales and Scotland.

Bif had a wide circle of friends from his varied mix of interests. He played in a band in his 20s; regularly attended the comedy house scene in Bath; maintained an active sporting role playing tennis and football well into his later years; as well as being a regular golfer.

He married Ali in 2007 and was a devoted father of his two boys, Charlie and Ruben. Bif died on 23rd January 2026 unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism. A few weeks before, he had celebrated his 60th birthday with a family ski trip to Bansko, Bulgaria. He lived his life to the full with a strong sense of humour, ethics and a moral code, which gained him much respect amongst those that knew him.