Popular bell ringer and hairdresser passes away aged 76

John Matthews, who suffered from cancer for a number of years, retired only in February this year from the hairdressing business he ran with wife, Christine.

He followed in his father’s footsteps with his bell ringing and became the Tower Captain for St Mary Magdelene Church, at Waltham, in the 1980s.

Fellow local bell ringer Barry Gilchrist told the Melton Times: “John was a good friend to the ringers, a good Tower Captain and someone who worked tirelessly to keep the bells ringing at Waltham.

“His absence will leave a huge gap which will be felt by all those who ring at Waltham and other local churches.”

John was born in Waltham and lived there most of his life.

As a boy, he rang the ‘curfew bell’ each evening so that the field workers knew that they should return home for their tea.

Later in life he was responsible for training the new generations of villagers who wanted to ring too.

Barry said: “John spent a lot of time helping the new ringers get to grips, first with the technique of ringing the bell, then with the more complicated task of ringing methods.

“He had a lot of patience and helped many people gain the confidence they needed to become good ringers.

“He thought that above all, good striking was the key to becoming a good ringer.”

His dedication knew no bounds and when an earthquake cracked the church spire in February 2008, repairs were made and then John bravely climbed scaffolding to replace the refurbished weather cock at the very top.

Getting volunteers for New Year’s Eve could sometimes be a struggle, so John would often borrow ringers from other towers to keep the tradition going.

The village, as well as enjoying the bells, also benefited from John’s efforts in keeping the church clock working.

He checked the time on the clock each time he drove past, just to make sure it was correct.

In October 2009, John celebrated his 65th birthday and a band of ringers joined him in ringing a quarter peal in his honour.

It was, according to the tower record book, a very good, almost perfect, ring.

After a Thursday night practice session, the ringers usually went for a well-deserved drink to the local pub as a regular ritual.

John and Christine made many friends through their years as mobile hairdressers, calling at people’s homes and at shops and other places of work.

They cut and styled the hair of generations of the same families in villages across the Vale.

He was also a popular figure in many local pubs through visiting them in his role as chairman of the Belvoir Darts League and he enjoyed playing with his own team on Friday nights.

John, who celebrated his Golden Wedding with Christine three years ago, passed away on November 11.

A private funeral service will take place at Grantham Crematorium tomorrow (Wednesday).

Family flowers only are requested and donations can be made to the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.