It was with great sadness that I heard of John’s death in March. He was a distinguished “character” in the Dark Peak Fell Runners as evident by the soubriquets he was given, Gentleman John, Squire Edwards, John Ed which reflected his aspiration of being a member of the countryside gentry. He had that rural style and dressed accordingly in tweeds, waistcoat and notably with a DPFR tie. He was the very model of a country gent which he enjoyed, for example, in his role in the Longshaw Sheepdog Trials and the Longshaw Fell Race, where he comfortably straddled both fraternities.
He was Emeritus Professor of Control Engineering at Sheffield University, also a keen Horologist, having published papers in the societies’ magazines (you could hear all his clocks ticking and chiming away as you entered his home) and he was a keen gardener, to name but a few of his interests. His garden was much visited and admired during the Broomhill Open Garden Days, especially when he played his old-fashioned gramophone equipped with a special horn.
Besides these various interests and occupations, he took up running with (I think) Tally-Ho which organised, amongst other competitions, a paper chase which fitted well with John’s country image. DPFR also chimed with him so he became a loyal member, introducing the Boxing Day Trot (still run annually from Oxstones) starting from his garden and going up the Porter valley to the foot of Jacob’s Ladder near Ringinglow. Here, a race to the top and back took place and, again, in true Gentleman John style, there was a handicap system in the hope that everybody would finish at the same time. It never quite worked out that way. There were variants, including running backwards (if you could) up and down. It was all reminiscent of summer country fetes held in the early days of foot races. The DPFR racers were then treated to John and Margaret’s Boxing Day hospitality which was always a grand affair with good food and drink, and, of course, a great deal of jolly post-race analysis.
John took part in local and more distant fell races, including the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales when he generously provided transport which was unsurprisingly a Land Rover which did have a fully packed hamper, all continuing to confirm his country gentleman image. He took part in mountain marathons and he earned himself more of his gentleman John reputation by allegedly including in his overnight rucksack a bottle of fine red wine (John knew his wines!) which he argued was essential survival equipment.
John was always good company and a witty, knowledgeable, generous friend who will be sadly missed.
Graham Berry