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John
Gould, MBE |
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 ohn's
favourite word was "unique" - there is only one Newbury
waterways environment, one St. Nicolas Church, one life… It is fitting
therefore that he is buried between the two places he loved, Newbury
Parish Church and Newbury Lock.The parable of the lost sheep epitomises John's life. As a lad I remember seeing John clinging to the canal bank releasing a trapped duckling and reuniting it with its mother and the rest of her brood on their first aquatic outing. How many of us would have spotted the problem let alone risked a soaking to solve it? John had another expression: "not pretty, pretty". Not only did John opened eyes about what needed to be done, he also had positive views on how it should be done. He strove for the authentic, rather than the "catalogue" or "off-the-shelf", solution. Many restoration and enhancement schemes have been modified due to John's attention to, and knowledge of detail: of what actually makes the here and now unique. His MBE, the plaque at Newbury lock and the bust proposed for the new library are public acknowledgements of John's contribution to society. Typically, John's acceptance of these was not for himself, but symbolic and on behalf of all of us who are stewards. John was a master-steward whose perseverance during long "wilderness years" paid off. Robert F. Willis |
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