Tributes flood in for community champion

TRIBUTES paid . . . .Chadderton and Failsworth Rotary Club president John Blakeman pictured with his wife Christine, son Richard and daughters Rachel and Charlotte

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TRIBUTES have been paid to well-known community champion John Blakeman after his death on Monday — the day after his 56th birthday.

Popular father-of-three John, the president of Chadderton and Failsworth Rotary Club, had celebrated his birthday with a barbecue with friends and family on Sunday before being found on Monday morning.

He had been getting ready for work at the time and died suddenly at his home, Ferney Field Farm ­— it has still not been officially confirmed what caused John’s death.

He was the son of Betty and Frank Blakeman, Dairy Farmers at Foxdenton Hall Farm, and had an elder sister Jill Elswood and younger sister Joanne who has passed away.

John married his wife Christine on September 20, 1980, at Emmanuel Church, Chadderton, and moved into Ferney Field Farm, where he lived all of his married life.

He leaves three children:; Charlotte (32), Richard (30) and Rachel (26).

He started and ran JCB Skips from 1986-2004 and in 2006 began Blakeman’s Tree Services in 2006 with son Richard working together until present day.

John was an active church member and a Scout leader.

John also had a lifelong interest in motorbikes and was a former chairman of Newton-le-Willows Motorcycle Club and was part of the North West Centre Board.

His son Richard has ridden since he was six years old and John supported him in this both at national and international level ­— travelling to Slovakia, Greece, Italy and Bulgaria to name a few.

Neil Jay ­— on behalf of the Supermoto community ­— told the Evening Chronicle: “For John, Supermoto ­— alongside the love of his family ­— was his greatest passion and for many years has been instrumental in taking his son Richard through the ranks from junior motocross champion, to now one of the top Elite riders in The British Supermoto Championship.

“To me, John was more than just a supporter, he was a true friend and a gentleman whose infectious smile and laughter brought the best out in everyone.

“It goes without saying that as a hard working family man he put many others before himself and that was reflected in his role as chairman of the local Rotary Club.

“I have no doubt the Supermoto family will be on hand to lend support to Christine, Richard, Rachel and Charlotte over this difficult time.”

In 1996 John joined Chadderton and Failsworth Rotary Club and was president for the third time when he died ­— he supported numerous local charities in his role.

Stan Bowes, president of the Rotary Club of Saddleworth, said: “Our members were shocked to learn of John’s untimely death.

“His work as a stalwart of the Chadderton and Failsworth Club was well known in the local community, and throughout Rotary.

“As a club, Saddleworth was in particularly close contact with John, as the two clubs have been working together for some time on a series of projects aiming to give young people a better start.

“He will be missed by all who know him ­— and many who don’t.”