John Shrigley RIP

John Shrigley lived in Lydiate for many years except when his work took him to Tyneside for a number of years. He was an educational psychologist by trade but I only really got to know him well following his retirement and when he moved next door but one to our Southport Road house in Lydiate.

John was steeped in local history knowledge and would often be able to give interesting accounts of the northern part of Maghull and Lydiate over many years. That his wake was held in the MCA* on Green Lane, Maghull was fitting as previous generations of his family had farmed what was once agricultural land which the Green Park estate now sits upon, whilst they lived at Canal Farm also known as White House Farm, now the MCA.

John told me that he first came across me when I canvassed him for the Lib Dems some years back. He lived on the part of Southport Road north of Pilling Lane, Lydiate back then. Despite that first encounter we became good friends when he moved into what had previously been the house lived in by his aunties the Holme sisters, Mabel and Millie. Sheila and I recall Millie being at her garden gate, when she was in her late 80’s/early 90’s and her passing on fascinating memories of Lydiate in times past.

John loved his cricket and, of course, he was a Lancashire supporter. With me being a cricket fan too, although a Nottinghamshire supporter, we always had much to talk about cricket-wise. On one occasion I said he looked like the former first class umpire David Constant as John’s sun hat was just like the one Constant often wore. He spent a day at Birkdale Cricket Ground in the summer of 2023 watching Lancashire play there, whilst at the same time I was down at Trent Bridge watching Nottinghamshire. We also shared football misery during the last two Premiere League seasons; John being an Everton supporter and me Forest.

My love of anything to do with railways was partly shared by John and the photo above shows him at the Worth Valley preserved railway in Yorkshire.

John collected books and memorabilia about all sorts of things and die-cast model cars/buses too. His partner Clare refers to him as a bit of a hoarder. He was particularly interested in the former Ribble bus company and its vehicles. John generously donated two Dinky Toys to Maghull’s Frank Hornby Heritage Centre in 2023 (see photo below), of which I’m a Trustee.

Sheila and I will miss John. We became good friends with him and Clare and whilst only knowing John well for a few short years we really enjoyed spending time with him. Our thoughts are with Clare, who cared for John so wonderfully during his illness.

*Maghull Community Association