John Hazlehurst
We are very sad to learn of the passing of John Hazlehurst. Our sincere condolences to his wife Rosie and daughters Helen, Lizzie and Janet, his sons in law and grandchildren.
John has been a good friend and supporter to all of us at Furness Tradition for many years. He was a member of the Old Friends Band for 20 years. John was a long-time member of Furness Morris as a Dancer, Fool, and much respected musician. His ability as a Morris musician playing the Anglo concertina and Northumbrian Pipes, was second to none. He provided musical accompaniment to Furness Clog Dancers, and was a stalwart of the Furness Tradition Community Band.
He was also a very active member of St Mark’s Church in Barrow.
All proceeds from his tune book ‘Phizacklea’s Fandangle’ are donated to ANTBA (Association Nationale pour la Traduction de la Bible et l’Alphabetisation) the biggest provider of ‘mother tongue’ literacy classes and materials in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest nations in the world. This generosity is typical of John.
There will be a service of celebration at St Mark’s Church, Buccleuch Street, Barrow-in-Furness on Friday, June 24 at 1.30pm. No flowers please, but donations, would be appreciated to be shared between the British Heart Foundation and St Mark’s Church and may be left in church or sent c/o Little & Caine, 48 Ulverston Road, Dalton-in-Furness. Tel. 01229 462564.
We remember him as a wonderful musician, composer of many fine local tunes, possessing a quiet sense of humour, and a loyal friend. And, to cap it all, he was an all-round nice guy! He will be sorely missed by many in the music world, and in local life.
John was a lovely man, gentle nature, quiet, patient and committed. The world is a poorer place without him.
John, on the right of this picture.
I echo all the tributes made in memory of John Hazlehurst. He was a wise and wonderful man – calm, clever and kind. All of us Furness Clog Dancers miss the man and his music so much. The quality of celestial ceilidhs has gone up a notch so our great loss is heaven’s gain and a homecoming for John. It was a pleasure, a privilege and inspirational to have known him.
Thank you very much for your kind comments and memories of our Dad John. He meant so much to so many different people. I’m sure that I speak for my sisters too when I say that I struggle to picture him without an instrument in his hands, tapping his toes and humming along. Thank you again! Lizzie Hazlehurst