2019 Obit: John Wells-Kiveton Park FC founder

Subject: Obit: John Wells, Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 09:11 AM

Sad news. John Wells, one of the founders of Kiveton Park Folk Club passed away on Sunday night after a brave struggle against illness.
John was known to many in the village of Kiveton and to many more on the South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire folk scene.
He was instrumental in forming Kiveton Park Folk Club, forty years ago, from impromptu sessions in the tap room of the Lord Conyers Hotel. The club went from strength to strength and is indeed still going strong to this day. That's thanks to John and his co-founders.
A man of fine voice,powerful in chorus yet subtle in interpreting the more gentle material he will be well remembered as a leading character in the local folk scene during the 70s and 80s.He will be sadly missed by many. Condolences to his widow June and family.
Find a safe harbour mate.

Andy

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Jim & Georgina Boyes
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 11:05 AM

Very sad news - John was a unique character.
Thinking of June all the song-filled nights at Kiveton in the 70's and 80's.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: Derby Ram
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 03:59 PM

Desperately sad to hear this. I knew he'd been ill because we had a long telephone chat just two or three weeks ago. He kept me howling with his interpretation of his escapades in hospital. Such a spirited, genuine and sincere man of extraordinary personality and character. He and June have been good friends since the early days of L.C.'s and I will miss our periodic meets over the years. Tragically, my last opportunity to see John was lost a few weeks ago when I was ill in hospital myself and unable to honour my gig at Kiveton Park.

Sincere condolences to June and family. Good night John, wherever you've gone, keep 'em howling like you did me and many others over your life.

Keith (& Sylvia )

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: SylviaN
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 04:15 PM

I didn't know John as well as Keith, but I was fortunate to be invited to his and June's home after one of Keith's gigs at Kiverton and, indeed, from the moment I ment him I knew I'd ment someone very special.

His thesis and proof that Wales (South Yorkshire) is, indeed, where all human civilization started is still a favourite reed of mine.

That folk club in the sky is certainly getting fuller.

My condolences to June and all of John's family.

Sylvia

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: johnadams
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 04:50 PM

I'm rehearsing with Keith Kendrick and Sylvia right now and we've been reminiscing about John, who I hadn't seen for many a long year.

In addition to his mischievous character, I remember him being an excellent craftsman. He renovated a fiddle for me once and the repairs were not only seamless but he did a french polish type finish on it which made it look like much more expensive instrument than it was.

Chris Coe and I did Kiveton Park Folk Club earlier this year and hoped to see him but I gather now that he was already ill at that time. We always used to refer to the KPFF as a 'youth club' because every time we got got there, John would greet us with 'Hey Up Youth!' in true North Derbyshire South Yorkshire fashion.

Maybe St Peter has already greeted him like that at the pearly gates to make him feel at home.

Bye Youth!

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 09:49 AM

Had a good chat with John at Mitch & Marilyn's 'do almost two years ago now. Hadn't seen him for years.

A good friend, a wonderful character and summed up in one man all the good reasons that got me into the folk scene many years ago, getting the train from Worksop on a Tuesday night to The Lord Conyers, having that last pint and missing the last train, walking back along the canal home... Humming "Sullivan's John" or "Banks of the Roses" all the way, after hearing Wellsy sing them.

So long youth...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 12:42 PM

No memories to contribute, but very sorry to hear this sad news...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: r.padgett
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 02:15 PM

I met John Wells many years ago and he was in a wheel chair then and June used to come to Barnsley fc many years ago

he was a wealth of knowledge and of songs and will be missed by all his family and folk friends

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Cath
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 05:40 PM

So sad to read this. I hadn't seen John or June for many years but I have very fond memories of June and the kids in Coal Aston (I even have some photos somewhere) and going over to Kiveton to the Folk Club. Love to June
Cath

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: Rank
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 12:42 PM

John was still coming to the folk club at Kiveton until not too many weeks ago, even sometimes when he was a bit under the weather. Kiveton will be a different place without him. Definitely a character of the old school. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 02:18 PM

John Wells, an experience not to be missed. They don't make em like that any more! Keep your hands off Red Haired Mary or John's ghost will be after you. Kiveton will miss you.
Di Moseley

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 05:38 AM

Sad news. Saw him last month at Firbeck, he was in good form singing with energy and gusto. Kiveton won't be the same without him.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 04:07 PM

I'm very sad to learn of the passing of an old friend. I met first John when I came over to record his father, a fine squeezebox player. Later, circa 1967, he and Ernie Sissons and others from the Kiveton area used to come over to the club I was running in Nottingham. When Kiveton club got started at the Lord Conyers I was one of the first guests and kept up a happy relationship with the club for many years. I was struck early on by Johns enthusiasm for the music, his forthright opinions, and his sense of humour, characteristics that he never lost. Since I came to Cardiff we spoke often on the phone, when he would recount his battles with petty authority, hilarious stories I loved to hear. I will miss John very much. He brought a lot of good cheer into my life. His friendship was one of the valuable gifts that a life in folk music has brought me. Farewell then John. I'll bet you'll shake those angels up a bit. I still have your books, and I'm proud to say that one of your 'Owd Tup' paintings hangs on my wall. It was good to know you. Elaine and I send condolences to June and the family. Roy

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:26 AM

I received news from the family today, that John's funeral will be held at Wales Church, Church Lane, on Monday 1st November at 2.00pm. Afterwards there will be a get-together for all friends and family at Wales Village Hall.

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells Kiveton Park FC founder
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 04:04 PM

I only knowingly met him once, but that was an experience.RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells-Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 09:01 PM

Like many others I have nothing but happy memories of the man, his humour and his non suffering of fools.

I still tell the tale of the incomer to Wales, who had come to live "in the country", but who complained of the noise John's cockerel made in the morning. John responded by buying another cockerel!

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells
From: GUEST,Robin Stonebridge
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 05:15 AM

Conyers Folk Club; replanting the Trysting Tree; keeping the Tup 'alive'; mending instruments; singing from the soul; relentlessly championing local causes; righting wrongs; protecting ancient rights [some of his construction]; having the Craic; Ernie,Mick, John and Jack;folk club guests who came for the night and stayed the week; two minute phone calls that lasted an hour.The ceremonial visits to Monkey Joe's and the infamous Piddling Pete.
Writing history like what it should be wrote as;craft skills long forgotten but still alive in Wellsie; recita-ti-ons by the bucket full- The Leaf.
Affronted elderly ladies sniggering behind hands; gaffawing landlords and enchanted audiences who didn't know what was coming next.- The answer of course was more of John.
All of this from someone who didn't think he would reach 40, and who thankfully stayed around for another thirty odd years - still very much alive and alert to the 'buggers who needed sorting out!'
Thanks June, and Robbie and Lizzie for sharing John - I dare say his 'works' will keep you busy for years to come.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells-Kiveton Park FC founder
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 09:57 PM

refresh...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells-Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,wocko
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 05:36 PM

I was foolish to thnk that I was the only one kept awake at night by long, rambling and hilarious phone calls from John. His recollections of the pigs in thecar was classic. I shall miss him as a friend a poet and a fellow craftsman. I will be there.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Wells-Kiveton Park FC founder
From: GUEST,Lis Coyle
Date: 01 Feb 19 - 07:26 PM

Not sure if anyone still reads this page, as its an old thread, but June (and my brother Rob) are still in Kiveton, and occasionally visit the KPFC.

Mum has lost touch with many over the years, so if you would like to get back in touch with her, the address is 228 Wales Road, and the number hasn't changed 01909 771340.

Am sure she would love to be back in touch but she has no internet.

Best,
Lis