Hundreds pay tribute to a man of the Cotswolds (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Hundreds pay tribute to a man of the Cotswolds

THE people of Bourton and Stow united to pay their respects to one of the Cotswolds' best known and much loved figures.

Hundreds packed into St Edward's Church in Stow on Monday to pay tribute to local funeral director, parish councillor and sports fan John Wright.

Many hundreds more, who could not get into the church, gathered in the Masonic Hall, churchyard or on the pavement outside, where they listened to the service relayed on loudspeakers.

They heard John - who died last week at the age of 65 after a long battle against illness - described by former Stow Rector the Rev Fred Rothery as "a marvellous man, with a marvellous sense of humour."

He said: "I've never known a community so affected by the death of one of their neighbours."

He recalled how John, who enjoyed a drink and was a regular at The Talbot in Stow, was a great wit, who was popular as an after-dinner speaker.

He was also passionate about rugby. In his playing days, he captained all four XVs of Stow Rugby Club and eventually became chairman for 11 years and president for three.

He was a keen cricketer and member of Bourton Vale Cricket club and the MCC.

John, who like many rural undertakers had a sideline in the building trade, was born and bred in Bourton.

He served 20 years on the parish council, the last four as vice-chairman. Recently, he was given an award for his outstanding service to the community by North Cotswold Rotary.

John started work as an apprentice with AC Billings in Stow and eventually bought the business with his wife Jane, whom he married in 1986.

He was described by Mr Rothery as "one of the finest funeral directors I've ever worked with."

After the service, the coffin was taken from the church, to the strains of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

A jazz band played and members of Stow Rugby Club formed a guard of honour.

A private burial was held at the cemetery in Bourton, John's home village.

He leaves daughters Emma, 32, and Julia, 29, stepson Andrew, 33, and stepdaughter Sally, 31, and five grandchildren.

There was a retiring collection for Linc - Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy.