John has always been a keen sportsman - he played cricket at Minor Counties level - was a Football Referee (West Yorkshire FA) - a qualified swimming judge (ASA) and officiated at International Meetings. Was a smallbore rifle shooter - competed at Bisley (prize winner) and represented Yorkshire in Team Matches. Played golf as a young man then had a break of 28 years from the sport - returned to golf in 1999 when the Marriott Hotel Group opened the Hollins Hall Course just five minutes from John & Valerie’s house. John has represented the club in numerous team events - was elected Club Captain for the year 2000/2001 and has been asked to continue in the role until 2003. Hollins Hall is a superb test of golf - tees and greens are built to USPGA standard which means year round golf on permanent tees and greens. The course measures 6800yds and enjoys a panoramic view of the moors and surrounding country with some very attractive holes - the greens are large and undulating - very easy to three putt in summer.
Photography was a main hobby back in the days of do-it-yourself processing when John was a member of the Leeds Camera Club. It is now restricted to ‘essentials’ and the Digital Olympus is used far more than the trusted Pentax.