JOHN SPRACKLEN

DEATH OF MR JOHN SPRACKLEN

NEWBURY’S OLDEST LANDLORD

Started Work in the Mines

The death too place at his home on Monday last week of Mr John Spracklen, Newbury’s oldest landlord, at the age of 67.  Mr Spracklen had been a licensee for 47 years and had never in that long time had a black mark against him.  He will be greatly missed,for he was always ready to help those in need.

Born in London, Jack Spracklen, as he was known to everyone, went to Yorkshire as a boy, and started work in the pits at Elsecar at the age of 13.  After working for seven years in the pits Mr Spracklen came south to Newbury in 1893 and was for a short time a traveller for Singer sewing machines.  In the same year, when his aunt retired as licensee of the “Pigeons” Cheap street, Newbury, he took over the house, and was its landlord for 34 years.  In 1927 he left the “Pigeons” abd took the “Eight Bells” in Bartholomew street, where he remained until his death.  He was a keen sportsman.  He was a follower of Reading Football Club for many years and thought nothing of travelling many miles, sometimes right p to the North, to watch a game of cricket or football.  His greatest  hobby however was pigeon racing, and his birds were known throughout the whole country.  He heped found the Newbury and District Pigeo Racing Club and won many prizes, among them being the News of the World diploma from Jersey in 1914.  For years in succession he won the Reading and District Old Bird Average Challenge Cup, which then became his own, and he also won the S.R.Federation C.A.Cup.  During the last war several of his valuable pigeons “~served” with the forces.  A lover of music, he played the violin, piano and other instruments. He was always a cheery “mine host”

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place at St Nicholas Church,Newbury on Friday, the Rev. Roy Chamberlain officiating.  The family mourners were: Mrs J Spracklen (wife), Mr and Mrs W Lovell (daughter and son-in-law), Mr and Mrs Jack Spracklen (son and daughter-in-law), Mr T High and Mrs indley, Mrs B Willis (sister), Mr and Mrs J Samuels (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs H Phillips (nephew and niece)

Among those also present were:  Mr and Mrs Chapman Sen., Mr and Mrs Chapman Jun., Mr and Mrs A Messer (the former Reading footballer), Mr W Coventry, Mr T Harrison, Mr L E Shergold, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Sawyer, Mrs F Stephens, Mr E J Duckett, Mrs Jarvis, Mr E C Twine, Mr S Clarkson, Mr F V Franklin, Mrs Beckley, Mrs R Collier, Mr J Brown, Mrs E Sturgess, Mrs W Hawkins, Mr Charles Bosley.

Wreaths were sent from the following: His Wife, Lenna, Billy and Audrey; Jack and Beat; Siser Harriett and family; Jim, Nellie and family; May, Les and Janet; Sister Kezia and family (Nottingham); Joey and Francis (Nottingham); Dad (Yorkshire); Lena and Joe; Blanche and Ted; Doris, Harold and Gordon; Alice and Bert; Sally, Bill and Leslie; Mr J Giles (Reading) Mrs Clarke; Mrs T Randall and family; Mr and Mrs Ted Harrison and family; Mrs E Cox (East Garston); Mr and Mrs J Spanswick, Doll, Fred, Harry  and George; Mr and Mrs A J Fisher; Mr W Coventry; Mr C H Payne; Captain Teddy Fuller and family; Jack and Mrs Hunter; Charlie and Mrs Lake; Mr A E Pyke and family; Mr and Mrs   a Thorn; Mr and Mrs F Franklin (Old London Apprentice); Mr and Mrs Earnshaw; Mr and Mrs M Walker; Mrs C Lovell; Mr and Mrs E Vokins; Mr and Mrs A Messer (The Truro, Reading); Old Pals and Customers, Eight Bells; The Pigeons Inn; The Reading and District Licensed Trades Association.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr A Thorn, Gloucester road, Newbury.