John was a kind, funny, giant of a loyal friend who will be missed by all who knew him. When he had completed his ‘snooker den’ he surprised me by giving me unasked a key to the ‘den’, saying use it any time you wish whether he was there or not. This was typical of his unending generosity, which was often hidden behind his wonderful and quick sense of humour. We had many enjoyable and exceedingly hilarious ‘boys’ lunches in Derbyshire which I remember with great fondness. Chris N.