John Tanner (Passed away 23 Jan 2018)

In loving memory of John Tanner who sadly passed away on 23rd January 2018

More than 390 tributes flooded in to the Facebook page set up in memory of John Tanner who died at the age of 95 on Tuesday, January 23.

He was best known as Mr John by generations of young Swindon dancers who passed through the Tanwood School of Performing Arts since the 1940s, when it was set up by John and his wife Mollie.

His daughter Pollyann said: "I moved back home two years ago because the battle was on, he had a hospital bed at home and we thought it was end of life care, but he was a fighter, he was remarkable. My mother wouldn't leave his side for the last four years.''

John and Mollie's love story reads like something from a film. They both worked 'inside' the Great Western Railway works, John as a draughtsman and Mollie as a comptometer operator.

John had played the piano since he was a young boy and at 20 he played with a jazz band called The Modernaires. Mollie, who was just 16 when they met, was part of the Yvonne Sutton Dance Troupe. They were both performing on the same night at the American camp near Highworth in 1944 and it was love at first sight.

Pollyann said: "They became engaged very soon after they met. One of their first dates was when my dad was playing in the band at the Dowling Street Hall. Many years later, in 2003, Tanwood was based there. It was a lovely bit of history, back to where it all started.''

The couple were married in 1946 at All Saints Church in Southbrook Street, and began the dance school in the garage of their first home in Ferndale Road, before moving to Bath Road.

"Dad was pianist for everything, he played for classes, festivals and exams,'' said Pollyann.

Many of the stories about Mr John on the Facebook tribute page recall how he would sit playing piano behind the examiners and how he would secretly help out the students by miming the answers.

Pollyann said: "He once played 600 solos at the Cheltenham Festival taking it in turns with his good friend Ken Newman whose wife ran a rival dance school. They were all great friends. He ran the orchestra at the playhouse and was involved in the Empire until it went into liquidation.

"Also my dad was a great chef. My mum was useless in the house, my dad did all the cooking, washing and shopping. He was the heart of the home.''

John was born in Carr Street on July 30 1922 to Minnie and Bill Tanner. He retired from the railways 30 years ago, but continued to play piano for Tanwood until DVDs took over. He then became administrator for the dance school. Alongside his music and his family John spent more than 50 years as part of the Masons.

W. Bro Ron Fairhurst, from Lodge Almoner said: "John joined Freemasonry in 1964, being initiated into Gooch Lodge 1295. He Joined Royal Sussex Lodge of Emulation No 355 in 1968, and then Harry C Preater lodge in 1999. He was organist in Gooch lodge for many years, founder of the Gooch Chapter lodge in 1982, and made honorary member of Gooch Lodge in 2011. John was also honorary member of Royal Sussex and Director of Ceremonies in both Gooch Lodge and Royal Sussex, being totally unflappable and very calm. He was Worshipful Master twice in Royal Sussex in 1976 and 1996 and Master in Gooch 1973.''

The funeral takes place on Friday, February 23 at the crematorium from 9.45am for close family, friends and colleagues. It will be followed by a service in memory of John which is open to everyone to attend from 11am at Christ Church in Old Town. - and then on to The Masonic Centre (limited numbers).

Please let us know if you are able to attend ( Crem, Church or Wake) and please donate to prospect rather than Flowers..Thank you

Report by Flicky Harrison