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In 2012, John suggested staging an annual given to recognise 50 people who made a
cricket dinner for charity, one of the most significant difference in Anglo-Barbadian
notable events in the Rotary Club of relations, and for excelling in their field of
Rochdale’s calendar alongside the classic car employment.
show, another of John’s ideas.
John’s biography ‘Test of Character’ was
Funds raised from the cricket dinners go written the same year by his friend, and fellow
towards coaching local young cricketers. cricketer, batsman Andrew Murtagh.
Speaking about the introduction of the Just a couple of years later, John would put his
Classic Car Show, John said: “I thought If name to another book, this time helping solve
Hebden Bridge can do it, why can’t we? tricky cricketing conundrums with ‘You Are
Mike [Tompkinson, organiser and fellow the Umpire’, illustrated by sports artist Paul
Rotarian] owned his own classic car and is a Trevillion, who had previously created
real enthusiast. We’ve so far held two very artwork for ‘You Are the Ref’. Both books
successful events at Hollingworth Lake.” highlight difficult, or unusual decisions, which
have to be made in the individual sports.
The first Classic Car Show was held in 2017,
and will return in July 2020 at a new venue, “With all the euphoria from the Ashes in 2008
Falinge Park. and 2009, it was thought a similar book about
cricket would sell, so I provided the answers
“We’ve been able to give money to some good to questions sent in by the public, whilst Paul
causes and be involved in a lot of fun and sketched the artwork,” explains John.
enjoyable projects,” John adds.
And even last year, John was presented with
In 2016, John received a Golden Jubilee medal the 2019 award for outstanding services to
marking the 50th anniversary of Barbados’ cricket by the Cricket Society – a “very
independence in 1966 at a special gala dinner pleasant surprise,” he states, modestly.
at London’s Savoy Hotel. The medals were
Pakistan vs India 4th Test December 1989 at Sialkot
REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2020 8 9 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2020
