John Straw (29 Nov 1945 - 11 Nov 2023)

In loving memory of John Straw who sadly passed away on 11th November 2023

John was a practical, yet artistic man, a true craftsman, who loved working with his hands and who loved his family.

John was born on 29th November 1945, in Netherfield, to parents Les and Ida Straw, the second youngest of 5 children –Gillian, Peter, Keith, [who passed in 2020], then John and finally Sue.

The family moved to Cavendish Road, Carlton just before John’s 1st birthday and he went to St Paul’s School, Carlton Hill, and then Cavendish Road School.

Left on their own in school holidays, the siblings would cook recipes from their Mum’s Be-Ro book, melt old 78rpm records to make fruit bowls and play football in the middle of Cavendish Road –Imagine that now- with jumpers for goals.

John left school at 15 and became an apprentice electrician. He later worked for a firm that did building work where he learned his building trade skills and that he had “the kind of ears you could stick a pencil behind”!

He met Janet at the Youth Club on Valley Road, Carlton in 1964 and they married in 1968 at St Cyprian’s, at the top of Carlton Hill; later celebrating their Golden Wedding in 2018.

John loved the outdoors and together they discovered fell walking in the Lake District where John would, on occasion, have to haul Janet up big rock steps by her rucksack straps.

They lived together on Westdale Lane, Carlton, the steep bit, before they moved to Lowdham in 1975. John worked hard, converting the 2 cottages into their forever home. He worked solidly for 2 years, only taking 1 day’s holiday each summer, and John’s first son Sam was born later that second year in 1977 and Tom was born in 1980.

When John’s brother, Peter, was made redundant, he and John formed Straw Bros, doing mainly building work. In the early 1980s John and Peter moved into joinery and their workshop on Carlton Hill. Manufacturing doors, window frames, stairs, whilst Janet, and Peter’s late wife Cath would do the books. Over the years they made windows for Nottingham High School, [a Grade 11 listed building] and an oar for Steve Redgrave’s statue at Marlow, on the Thames.

With a Joiner for a father, the boys were the only children in the area in to have a wooden fort built in their garden, complete with look-out tower, scramble net and zip wire and an armoury of wooden swords and shields.The smell of wood shavings still takes the boys back to times spent in the workshop with their father and Uncle.

The family enjoyed holidays in Dorset, Cornwall, Lake District, Yorkshire Coast and Wales, usually in their trailer tent and where John and Janet would continue to holiday, though-out John’s life. Swanage and Corfe Castle were favourite places with John, Janet and the boys, and then, years later, returning with the grandchildren.

John would always get up early and pack the car and trailer for holiday. The family remember setting off well before 7a.m. and the early morning chill when we got out of the car to stop for breakfast.
For days at the beach John would pack his rucksack, with windbreak strapped to the side, and then walk to the end of the beach, “away from the madding crowd”.
In the evening John would usually have BBQ going, cooking a variety of steaks, fish, chops and potatoes, which was always followed by the obligatory family boules match and then a hot chocolate before bed.
John and Janet also took their boys to the Lake District and Snowdon, inspiring their love of the outdoors. John could be seen encouraging his boys but was never tempted to take the easy way and the end was always “just around the next corner”.

For much of his adult life, John lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which he dealt with stoically, always defying the doctors’ expectations and it never prevented him from his work.

When John and Peter retired at the end of 2003, they did so with a reputation for excellent and reliable workmanship, although John did finish with two less fingers than he started with.

In retirement, John, delighted in pottering around his garden, tending to his lawn, treating himself to new plants, creating a Japanese garden with a largish pond and building a green-house attached to the outhouse which typified what he enjoyed doing in life.

Throughout his life, John would grow all manner of fruit, vegetables and other plants over the years spending hours outside enjoying his garden. On a good year John would enter some of this produce in the Lowdham Horticultural Society Shows along with photos he had taken during the year, one year winning the Photographic Cup. The pyracantha at the front of the house was always immaculately kept and pruned by John and was often commented on by people who knew him and strangers alike.

John supported the boys with their hockey playing during their teenage years, driving them to various pitches, standing on the touchline in all weathers. Building a Goal for practice on his bowling green like lawn which provided the perfect practice surface. Sam and Tom of course grew up, got married, and John gained daughters-in-law Jo and Vicky.

John was a very regular and cheap handyman at his boys’ homes, and for other friends and family too. Always relishing any DIY task or challenge, wherever it was and whoever asked.
So, it was no surprise that John enjoyed being part of the team tidying the graveyard, here at St Mary’s, landscaping and mending the fences and gates.

John enjoyed live music too. Carlton Folk Club became a regular haunt on a Thursday night, through the 70s and beyond. There was great music, festivals, camping holidays and enduring friendships.
John and Janet, continued to enjoy great concerts when Warthog Promotions started to bring live music to Lowdham Village Hall, also known as “Lowdham Indoor Arena”. John’s favourite was Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders. Performing on the stage built by John and Peter in the mid 1980s until it was replaced in 2020.

John became a Grandfather in 2006 with the arrival of Liv. Katie, Oscar and Toby followed over the next 5 years. Although playing dollies with two girls was a slight shock to the system, before the boys restored balance. John loved his grandchildren and they will always have their memories of sleepovers and day trips with John and Janet.

John had a sweet tooth, something fairly common amongst the wider Straw family and Sunday dinners at Grandad’s would always be followed by a wonderful homemade pudding, with Apple Pan Dowdy or Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding being particular favourites.

During his retirement John took up and enjoyed archery, He even built a range from the garden into the garage, where an archery butt was swung down from the garage ceiling, being another example of his ingenuity.

John also taught himself watercolours and created ornaments such as the Cockerel weathervane that still stands proudly on the garage extension, that he also built, and 2 oriental dragons from an old water cylinder.

John was much loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all. Particularly his kindness, which he showed by willingly, helping everyone with any practical task in the home or garden.

Reading
In the realms of wood and craftsmanship a diligent Joiner toils,
with hands sculpting and moulding that which grew from soil.

A grafter, strong and skilled in the workshop’s embrace,
crafting visions from timber with unwavering grace.

With calloused palms and a heart so kind,
a father, provider, in life’s daily grind.

More than a Joiner but a builder as well,
raising structures where his legacy will dwell.

And so, from dawn’s first light, to the moon’s gentle gleam
he builds not just structures but a family’s dream.

In bestowing wisdom a mentor he will be,
guiding others to carve out their own destiny.

Then as his body slowly surrenders to time’s relentless march,
still, he continues in defiance with enduring spark.

The Joiner now faces his God with weary frame,
unbowed and with a spirit that still holds its flame.

Step forward now, Joiner, take a moment to rest
you crafted with skill and gave your all and your best.

So, if building small marvels fills your heart’s grand view
Then go build in heaven’s halls, and follow your calling anew