John was born in Christchurch and joined the army when he was aged 15. He served 8 years during which time he was posted to Albany Barracks. He met his now wife and they have been married for 55 years. They live in the house his wife was born in on Pan.

After leaving the army John worked at Plesseys for 30 years where he took voluntary redundancy at age 60. He also served as a Special Constable and a Naval Auxiliary. John worked as a prison officer at Albany for 5 years until his full retirement.

John first became involved with Pan Neighbourhood Partnership (PNP) when the Community Link Officer visited himself and his wife to encourage them to participate in the archaeological classes that were being run on Pan. They both enjoyed these enormously and began to take part in a whole range of activities put on by PNP. Some of the activities included the Chelsea Flower Show, the musical “Buddy” at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, Beaulieu Motor Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London. His wife was a member of the Art classes.

John is a current resident Pan Neighbourhood Partnership Board member which meets bi-monthly. He is involved in decisions on how to take the Neighbourhood Management scheme forward. He has lobbied for security locks on communal doors for flats on Pan and for action to be taken on unlawful activity occurrences. He has noticed the changes on Pan. “More and more people seem to be talking to one another”

John became more directly involved with developing an initiative after he attended a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council at Downside Middle School. The talk was all about activities for younger people and John wanted to see something happen for older people. He was already playing Short-Mat Bowls for Victoria Bowls Club and felt this would be something that Pan residents would really enjoy. PNP suggested that he find out about how to set up a club on Pan, what equipment he would need and to cost up the whole thing. John put all this together, including sorting out the storage necessary, and submitted an application to PNP for a Community Grant which was awarded.

The club has been a roaring success. John set it up in October 2007 and there are now close to 40 paid-up members. There has been no advertising and all interest has been generated through word-of-mouth. They have been playing Island teams at matches and many people have asked to join. The reputation of the club has spread so far that mainland teams are also coming to the Island for matches, generally held in Shanklin. The match book is full for this year. Looking ahead, they are hoping to become part of a league.

“I love seeing people enjoying themselves. There’s a lovely atmosphere and it’s all-inclusive”.

Although the venue is on Pan, members travel from other areas just to play. One member travels from Arreton by bus, another from Parkhurst and other parts of Newport and Carisbrooke. There is a mix of ages, members are working-aged as well as retired with a good mix of bowls experience.

Several members of the Short-Mat Bowls club arrived as complete novices and developed their skills enough to compete on a level with the more experienced players. Members enjoy playing so much that they have joined another club as well just so that they can play more games. If there was another evening on Pan, they would be keen to play.

The club has a self-sustaining membership, charging a small fee to support the club’s costs. Each member has a badge for identification at away matches, club outfits and membership cards. The club is fully insured. Refreshments are available every week at the Pan sessions and the club also holds social events. The club is open to all members of the Pan community and has an almost equal membership of men and women. People have started with no skills for bowls and developed them with help and support at weekly practices.New people can join for 2 weeks without payment to see if they enjoy it. “We have a strong healthy club, well attended”

All members spoken to said that they enjoy the sessions immensely. They regard the Short-Mat Bowls Club a great success which offers lots of opportunities for making new friendships and socializing. Thanks to John for enabling this to come about.

Downside Middle School were looking for someone to teach their youngsters (12 and 13 year olds) Short-Mat Bowls so John recently started up a junior club on Friday mornings culminating in a competition to win a cup. The club is open to boys and girls.

Through all of his efforts John feels that he has been supported 100% by PNP. As well as providing funding, they have provided training, advice and sign-posting to appropriate agencies which has enabled formation and development of the clubs. “It makes you feel confident when you have their backing”

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