The Memorial Day dedicated to John was held
on the 9th of March 2013 at the Memorial Village Hall
in Whittlesford, Cambridge.
This page includes some details of the Sharing Memories session which was held on the 9th of March.
You are welcome to use this space to post your comments and reflections.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Anna and John's family for organising the event to remember and celebrate an extraordinary person who influenced and touched many lives.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply grateful to have been able to share this day with so many people from different times and places in John's life. I realise I only knew a tiny part of him (we worked together), and I am sad I will never have the opportunity to know more of him, and learn from the breath of his experience and the quality of his love. I miss you John. x
ReplyDeleteI felt very moved in listening to everyone's contributions on Saturday. John's remarkable life and the legacy of the many lives he touched shone through.
ReplyDeleteI knew John for a relatively short space of time –perhaps just under two years. However, I felt a need to express what an impact he made on me during the period in which I knew him a little.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to thank Anna for making me and the other two MA co-students of John’s (who she had never met before!) so welcome at his beautiful and moving memorial service.
I met John on an MA in creative writing. He immediately stood out as one of the most creative and lyrical writers on the course, his work almost stopping the rest of us in our tracks with its sensitivity and beauty.
He was never confident about his writing, in fact he was incredibly modest and humble, and I found an old email of his recently in which he apologized for ‘inflicting’ the beginning of his novel ‘Happiness’ on the novel writing group. (Of course in reality the piece was a gift, rather than an infliction!) This self-deprecating attitude was completely genuine. It made him approachable and non-threatening and he was someone I was always relieved to spot in the classroom or afterwards in the pub.
His criticism of others’ work – including my own - which I have kept as it was so constructive - was always sensitive, tactful and considered, and showed unusual perception. But the memory I cherish most from that time is John’s sense of camaraderie. His gentle sense of humour, and the way he was always up for a drink or a chat but without ever imposing himself on anyone.
It was with enormous shock and sadness that I heard about his loss. My deepest sympathies go to the loving and warm people with whom he was surrounded and who spoke about him with such understandable affection at the memorial service.
I will treasure the writing he has left as a legacy. I am so glad to have crossed paths with him, and he enriched my life, for however short a time it turned out to be.
Penny Hancock
I'd like to thank everyone who attended the 9th of March Memorial Day in Whittlesford - the day would not have happened without each one of you - so THANK YOU ALL.
ReplyDeleteA special 'Thank You' to my mum for being here and for being so supportive, brave and wise.
A huge 'Thank You' goes to my friends Masha Hoey and Ksenia Westgate for being our Russian interpreters and translators on the day.
Many thanks to Jilly who helped to make 'the prayer flags' idea a reality.
A big 'Thank You' goes to Neil Quinn for helping to coordinate the day and for leading the Sharing Memories session.
The Book of Reflections would not have happened without Jenny Moran - many thanks Jenny for all your valuable help and advice in preparation to the day.
A special 'Thank You' to Richard Swallow for filming the event.
I am very grateful to Jim Green for sharing the pain and joy of publishing John's book of stories and for guiding me with the most kind and gentle advice in preparation to the day.
A massive 'Thank You' to everyone who helped to make the day happen:
Our musicians Gill Karpas, Patrick Shail, Emma Corlett and Anne Reekie; The food wizard Eden from Norwich;
The catering team of helpers on the day - Dee, Christina, Maggie, Debbie(s), Clive and Kel;
Also Jilly, Maggie, Mary, Mike, Anthony, Debbie, Jeremy and everyone who helped to set the room up and clear things away at the end.
Many thanks to my Russian, English and Irish families, also to Jim, Joseph, Neil, Christina, Dee, Clive, Emma, Maggie, Jilly, Liesbeth, Patrick, Jenny, Gill and all of you who have been tirelessly supporting me in the past weeks - thank you for helping to bring together such a wonderful memorial event!
Love and peace to you all, dearest people.
From all my heart,
Anna
Hello,
ReplyDeleteJust sharing these links to some of John's favourite music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKpzCCuHDVY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jv_RCxjhdk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f6wzGpFKUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtCittJyr0&list=PLF211703340C56D15
Apologies for any adverts included in - just click Skip to stop any of the nonsense...
Feel free to add more links!
Anna
I met John twice, but it felt like we had always been friends. In his memory I will do my best to ensure - as he wanted - that everyone had a 'liberty-enhancing' part of their care plan. He is sorely missed and I can't believe he has gone. N x
ReplyDeleteI did not know John well, and only met him over the last couple of years whilst working on DoLS as a best interests assessor. I was shocked and saddened to hear of is passing and feel that the world has lost a most sensitive and valuable human being. His heartfelt dedication to human freedoms was immeasurable and the world is a sadder place for his passing. I too cant believe that he has gone as he is sorely missed. C (from Essex)
ReplyDeleteI had the pleaseure of working with John for a few years in Cambridge. I found him to be the most gentle of men, a true professional. I admired his passion for equality and justice and the promotion of liberty, while raising awareness of MCA/ DOLS.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to hear of his passing and I know he will be sorely missed by those dearest to him and his colleagues across the counry. I am thankful that I had the privilege of meeting and working with him.
Diane x
One year has passed.
ReplyDeleteSending love and light to John, Anna and all who hold John in their hearts.
Jeannet