John Bradshaw (1942-2019)

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of former Head Groundskeeper John Bradshaw. John, who passed away on Monday 11 November, worked at the University from 1965 until his retirement in 2008.

Adam Tester, Gardens and Grounds Manager, paid this tribute: “John was my predecessor. I had an extensive handover period with him which was an absolute pleasure. I kept in contact with John until recently as he used to do gardening rounds across Oadby once he retired and would regularly pop in to Stoughton Road for a cup of tea during the cricket season.

“He was a wonderful man and didn’t have a bad bone in his body and I know he loved his time at the University. Everybody who knew him would always speak very highly of him. John worked for the Sports department. Working his way up from a grounds person to a head grounds person over the years. He worked on the Roger Bettles sport site and also Welford Road playing fields. He also managed the grounds at Stoughton Road.”

Details of John’s funeral will be posted here when confirmed. It has also been proposed that the University plant a tree in his memory.

• Tribute by Colin Hide