Tribute to John Shoesmith

It was with deep sadness that we learnt of the death of our friend John Shoesmith, at the age of 77. John had been a Councillor on Duffield Parish Council, having been elected in May 2019 and remained until he resigned recently due to the debilitating effects of Motor Neurone Disease.

John was born in Burnley and, after reading engineering at Cambridge University, made his career at Rolls Royce in Derby until he retired. He and his wife Stella moved to Duffield in 1975 and their four girls all attended William Gilbert and Ecclesbourne School.

John had an exceptional number of interests and was always busy. He was a member of Duffield Squash Club for many years and served on the Squash and Tennis Social Committee. He was also an active member of the Amber Valley Liberal Democrats and had been a member of the U3A and Transition Belper. John also enjoyed being a part of the Duffield Singers and the Art Group, as well as participating in French conversation classes. He had a passion for sailing and for many years kept a yacht in Portsmouth harbour, occasionally sailing across to France with his wife and friends. He was also a member of the Staunton Harold sailing club. He also enjoyed cycling and swimming and his annual family sailing holidays in Saundersfoot, South Wales and he took great pride in the achievements of his family.

During his time on the Parish Council, John served on several Committees. During the first 4-year term, the Council was reorganised into four major committees. He became the first Chair of the newly formed Strategic Development Committee, during which time he drafted an updated version of the 2021-2025 Village Action Plan. Later, he became the Chair of the newly formed Outdoor Management and Development Committee which oversees existing Parish Council assets. He was also a member of the Staffing and Finance Committees. He also served from 2019 until 2021as one of the two Parish Council Trustees at the RJ Weston Duffield Charity (The Weston Centre), during which time he helped with the refurbishment of the building, including an improved hearing system for older people and improved flood defences. He also carried out an update of new policies and procedures for running the charity.

As elsewhere, the Covid epidemic engulfed Duffield and he chaired the Duffield Community Support (DUCs) which recruited helpers get shopping for those who were unable to leave their homes.

He continued to have a real interest in looking after the environment and he chaired the Environmental Working Group for several years and worked on flood prevention, the Speedwatch Group and improvement of local footpaths, Cycleways and car parks. One of his last tasks was to help with planning and implementation of the old Methodist Church as a Village Community Centre.

John was a modest, highly intelligent and thoughtful man and devoted to his family. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. He led a full and active life and we are grateful for his many acts of service to the local community, for his sense of fairness and all-round enthusiasm. He will be sorely missed.

Councillor Roger Harrison, Duffield Parish Council