It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that John passed away this weekend following a massive heart attack. John was a friend to many of us and a considerate colleague to all at SPG.

Affectionately known to some as ‘The Prof.’ (John was a Professor of Engineering in a previous life) he epitomised to me what the SPG membership are: enthusiastic, passionate and committed to his hobby. He was prepared to share his enthusiasm with fellow members and did a number of talks to the club on his style of photography.

John joined us in 2009 and made an immediate impact by winning all three of the novice Merit Competitions in the prints and coming second overall in the projected images and so was swiftly promoted to the advanced section.

By 2011 he was probably the most prolific member of the club, not only supporting the club competitions but achieving success in external competitions all over the world. In one inter club competition that year his ‘Stretch Limo’ got 17 with ‘Reichstag Dome’ and The Jetty both getting 20 points. Reichstag Dome, possibly his most successful image, went on to get acceptances and medals all over the world.

He gained his LRPS and has been working on a submission for his ARPS (with his Victorian series). This June he was due to be awarded his EFIAP/s (silver, the 4^th tier of FIAP international Distinctions), which only needed official ratification from FIAP HQ. John has already this season won the Merit Print section and the Colour and Mono Panels Cups and without doubt would have given us all a hard time in the annual cups at the end of the month.

John was a big man in the best of ways who will be greatly missed and leave a large gap in the lives of those who knew him. The committee are currently in discussion as to what would be an appropriate way to ensure he is remembered in the club for many years to come, so suggestions to Dick Prior or Stewart Band please.

Dick Prior (SPG Chair and Proud to have been a colleague and a friend of John)

John's funeral will be held on Monday 18th. May 2015 at 2.00 pm at

Banbury Crematorium

Hardwick Hill

Southam Road

Banbury OX16 1ST

(Here is the Order of Service)