Tributes paid to much-loved community-minded Rednal man

Buy photos » Ethel and John Scott when they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Picture by Marcus Mingins. 29.07.024.MMR

TRIBUTES have been paid to community-minded Rednal resident John Scott, who died at his home last Thursday (May 24) at the age of 87.

John, who was born in Kendal, Cumbria, moved to Loynells Road in 1955, where he formed the Loynells Residents' Association. The group, which John was chairman of, right up until his death, was one of the first neighbourhood watch schemes in the whole of the West Midlands.

John had a lot of involvement with the local police forces and even has a room named after him at Bournville Lane Police Station.

He was, previously, chairman of the B2 police local consultancy committee and has been president of the Rubery Rednal Royal British Legion Club.

The steward of the club, Andy Dovey, said: "He was a wonderful man who would do anything to help anyone.

"He'll be sadly missed by everyone here at the Rubery Rednal Royal British Legion.

"There is a big gap left here behind with John going - it is a sad time," he added.

He was featured in The Standard on numerous occasions - for the Loynells Residents' Association, campaigning on local issues, for entertainments he had organised and when he and wife Ethel celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007.

John met Ethel on Christmas Eve in 1945 in Brussels, where they were both serving during the war.

They married in 1947 and had two daughters Jane and Christine. They were due to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on July 19.

On the entertainments front, John has organised a variety of events over the years - from dinner dances and live music nights to pantomimes at Christmas. He was also, until recently, the president of the Birmingham Entertainment Secretaries' Council - an organisation he had been involved with since the 1960s.

His daughter Jane Walker said since his death, the family had received more than 100 sympathy cards.

"He was known in every walk of life and will certainly be well-missed.

"He was just a big figure, big in stature even at 87, well-known in the community - a larger than life personality."

John's funeral will be held at 12midday on Thursday (June 7) at Lodge Hill Crematorium.

Any donations will go to the Air Ambulance.

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