John had a good send off. The crematorium was packed, with as many standing in the warm sun outside. The shantymen led the coffin in with 'Stormalong John'. Lots of music, by the Budleigh male voice choir, of which he was a member, Dave Wood, Maggie Duffy, the Shantymen again with 'Leave her Johnny leave her.'
The conclusion , at the end of a moving service led by Martin Nicholls, was a recording of John's own voice, made for a recent CD, singing 'Heavens a Bar'.This led to spontaneous and sustained applause amid the very real and genuine tears. Back to the Globe, home of his own Topsham folk club, and several hours of excellent singing by a whole hosts of friends anf family.
    He would have loved to have been there.
       Goodbye John, we witnessed so many accounts of a life well lives, well done.