John devoted much of his life to serving the community, making a lasting contribution to both Glastonbury and the wider district. He served as a Town Councillor for many years and was honoured to serve as Mayor of Glastonbury on two occasions, in 2006 and again in 2010, as well as serving as a District Councillor at Mendip District Council. Alongside his work in local government, John also served the town as an on-call firefighter, demonstrating his commitment to helping others in every aspect of community life.
During his time on Mendip District Council, John held a variety of important roles, including serving as Vice Chair of the Council. John served for the Glastonbury St John’s Ward. He was first elected in 2007, successfully retaining his seat in 2011 and 2015, before standing down in 2019. He was known for his willingness to serve wherever he was needed, never refusing a committee appointment and always playing an active and constructive role in its work. He maintained an exemplary attendance record and was particularly passionate about planning and licensing matters, where his thoughtful contributions were highly valued by both fellow councillors and council officers.
John earned widespread respect for his courteous manner, his willingness to listen, and his ability to work collaboratively with others. He was regarded as someone of integrity, whose advice and judgement could always be relied upon.
Paying tribute, a former Leader of Mendip District Council said:
“John never refused to serve on any committee and, once appointed, he would always take an active part in the work. He could be relied upon to maintain an excellent attendance record and particularly enjoyed planning and licensing, where his contribution was always welcomed by officers. Always polite and prepared to listen, he was a valuable member of both his political group and the Council. During my twelve years as Leader of Mendip District Council, I always counted John as someone to trust and rely on.”
In recognition of his exceptional service to the town, John was honoured with the title of Alderman, reflecting the significant and lasting impact he made on Glastonbury over many decades.
John’s dedication, kindness, and steadfast commitment to public service will be remembered with great affection by colleagues, friends, and the many residents whose lives he touched. His legacy of service to Glastonbury will endure for many years to come.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with John’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
The flag atop the Town Hall will be flown at half-mast until after the funeral; details of the funeral will be shared in due course in line with the family’s wishes.
