John Leary

John died unexpectedly on 29th March 2007.

Graham Smith writes:

Please permit me to introduce myself. I was at school with John Leary, one of your Playford dancers, was a fellow bellringer, shared a bungalow with him in Guildford in the early 1970s and we were both the Best Man for each other at our weddings.

You may not be aware that John was regarded in church bellringing circles as one of the leading bellringers in the world, both in composing the "music" for the bells to ring and for his expertise in ringing bells. He has several publications to his name, although you need a PhD (which John had), to understand some of them. He was never proud or boastful but was able to talk to everyone at their own level, a fact that many people never realised until many years after first meeting him.

John leaves behind his widow Sophie and Fred, his seven year old son. I am collecting peoples memories of John so that in the years to come when Sophie and Fred think back on their memories of John they can also read through other peoples recollections of John. Also with the recollections will be all the details of John's peal records, these are very special to bellringers, and his bellringing compositions. I estimate that this will amount to nearly 200 pages and I will have it bound in the manner of a dissertation. The recollections to date cover John's time at Oxford, his caving activities, his working life and bellringing. I have absolutely nothing relating to his time at Reading and seek your help, through your website, to reach those people who new John during his time at the University. I am seeking recollections of John in whatever form they come, funny or serious, short or long, memories of actual events or thoughts about John as a person. I understand that these will come in a variety of styles but that simply doesn't matter. This is a collection of memories and not a literary work. Every contribution will be welcomed. Photographs will also be welcomed and I guarantee to return any that are lent to me.

I thank you in the anticipation that you will put this request on your website. I can be reached by:

Email: graham@smithbeverley.karoo.co.ukBALDRICK (remove the item of morris kit to see the real address)

Post: Graham Smith, 6 Manor Park, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 7BS

Telephone: 01482 871225

I do have one rather special request that may, or may not, be related to Playford dancing. When John moved to Guildford and started his working life he joined the Surrey University ringers and was known as "Gnome". This was because he wore a waistcoat, or something similar, with a gnome on the back and when he went to his first ringing meeting he introduced himself by saying "Hello, I'm Gnome". We think this is from his time at Reading. Was it made for him by a girlfriend at Reading?

If anyone would like to read the tributes paid to John at his funeral I have the drafts from which the tributes were made. There are two, one relating to bellringing and one relating to his working life. If anyone wants to read the recollections I will be pleased to send them a copy by email.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please, if you knew John, just take a few minutes to send me some of your memories of him.

Graham Smith

RUUFDS members can also see what John wrote about himself and add their own memories on John's page in the members' section

-- AndrewFindlay - 23 Jun 2007