August 7^th 1934 – September 18^th 2022

John Vernon died peacefully in hospital on September 18^th aged 88 years.

John was born in Stoney Stanton, the second son of George and Mary Vernon, the local grocers, being preceded by his twin brother Mick by about an hour. Following his school years John, on his 15^th birthday, went to work at a local farm. He was very keen to learn the many skills which gave him a lasting love of the countryside.

When John saw an advertisement for someone to manage and care for Burbage Common and Woods, he took his opportunity and secured the job. Over a period of several years John laid the foundation to transform the then wilderness to the popular open space enjoyed by many today.

John’s abilities were recognised by the Local Authority as he took on the job to supervise the management of the playing fields and trees within the wider area of Hinckley and Bosworth. As the Council reorganised John secured the job as the Leisure Services Manager and his team were responsible for the Common and Woods he had brought back to life, all the sports facilities in the borough and the local cemeteries. Following his retirement, he returned in a consultancy role advising planners about the local trees.

John, as a boy, sang in the church choir, and remained with them for most of his life, leading them as Choirmaster, as well as singing with other local choirs and the Stanley Opera company at Hinckley’s amateur theatre.

As a teenager John was taught to ring by the then Ringing Master Nun Walker who was instrumental in teaching many youngsters in the village. Along with his twin brother they soon became very proficient and at age 18 John was appointed the Deputy Ringing Master, taking on the role of Ringing Master after Nun Walker died in 1972. In his late teens he joined the Society of Rambling Ringers when their tours involved mainly cycling and Youth Hostelling.

John served some time as the District Ringing Master where, when visiting St Mary’s Church, Hinckley, he met a young Elizabeth Wilcox, the girl he subsequently married, and they settled in Stoney Stanton, where they spent the rest of their life.

John devoted his life to ringing at Stoney Stanton, remaining the Ringing Master for many years, teaching many as he strived to keep a band to ring for all the services of the church.

Although not a prolific peal ringer, John rang his first peal in 1953 and by the end of 1954 had rung 26 peals, three of these being in hand. He continued to ring tower bell peals throughout his life but developed a liking to ringing peals in hand, 101 in total, ringing with the likes of Alf Ballard, Alan Catell, Walter (Titch) Whitehead, Peter Staniforth and Brian Burrows. Of his 221 peals John rang 208 of these for the Leicester Diocesan Guild.

Sadly, towards the end of his life, John suffered with dementia and his ability to ring was taken away. At his funeral, as the cortege arrived at the Crematorium, handbells were rung and after the wake, a band rang a memorial quarter peal of Yorkshire at St Michael’s Stoney Stanton.

Since January, Stoney Stanton has lost two stalwarts of the ringing scene with the passing of the Vernon twins. A peal celebrating their lives is already planned for the two men who will not only be missed at St Michael’s, but also within the village, where they spent their whole lives.

Mick Angrave
Chair of the Hinckley District,
Leicester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell ringers