Back in 1990 Belton had a derelict ring of 3 bells. After John’s wife Sandra became the vicar, it was decided to get them rehung followed by augmentation to 6. This was achieved by 1993 and John together with a number of others decided to learn to ring.
After learning the handling skills John became very determined to master change ringing. He became a regular visitor at nearby towers practice nights. He even borrowed a library book on computer programming and taught himself to write a ringing programme showing ropes going up and down on the monitor.
By 1995 he was good enough to ring his first peal, this being Bob minor at the foundry with Yorkshire surprise major to follow a year or so later. Altogether he rang 7 peals including the first and as yet only peal rung at Belton.
In 1999 John took on the role of Chairman of the Loughborough District, a post he would hold for 13 years. Although he continued to ring for a few more years his health started to suffer and eventually he had to give up around 2018. He gradually became housebound and passed away in May.
Very sadly missed.
Colin Lord
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