John Bean, who died in November 2021 was very well-known in Wickhambrook and the surrounding area as the editor of The Scene and the author of books including ‘Ten Miles from Anywhere’,a look back at village life.
John was born in Surrey, joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve just as the war ended in 1945 and subsequently joined the Royal Navy when he realised air crew would not be needed. He sailed the world and returned to pursue a career in petro-chemicals and journalism.
He was very active in far-right politics but he gave all that up when he came to live in Wickhambrook with his wife Marion in 1973. They lived at East Cottage, Attleton Green, until just before the pandemic when they moved to Yorkshire to be nearer the family. He was brought back to Wickhambrook where a funeral service was held at the Methodist Chapel before burial in the cemetery.
His family paid the following tributes to him.
His son Christopher remembers his father’s passionate beliefs about family and country and his strong opinions, never forced on anyone. He encouraged the pursuit of knowledge through travel, education and reading and was a larger than life character with a great sense of humour. He was happy to play the fool and be self-deprecating to make others laugh and always took time to explain things to his children. A real father figure.
His daughter Carol will remember him as someone who always made her laugh, even when he didn’t mean to! He was larger than life.
His granddaughters Laura, Claire and Jennifer remember a man who was loving, protective and caring, full of silly jokes and stories and who taught them to drive and also the value of hard work.
He taught them about his alleged Viking heritage which turned out to be a myth as the family originated in Northumberland. How cheering for the Chapel Congregation to see a Viking longship on his coffin!
They also remember his convivial evenings in the pub with friends, his love of life and company and until the end, his ability to tell a funny story.
The service ended with the playing of a London Music Hall Song which John liked to sing at parties ‘Your baby has gone down the plughole’
Everyone left the Chapel smiling – just what John would have wanted.
More about John’s life in politics can be found in his book ‘Many Shades of Black’ and his research into his ancestry can be found in his novel ‘The Viking Finger’. It is still possible to obtain copies of ‘Ten Miles from Anywhere’ online from second hand book sites.
Dorothy Anderson, History Recorder