John Hinton has died and the letters page of your Worcester News will be poorer for his passing.

An avid contributor to this newspaper for more than 40 years, Mr Hinton’s interests were many and varied – from bell ringing to the Second World War – and he had a veritable treasure chest of memories, many relating to his childhood growing up in the city.

He lived off London Road, but was taken ill two weeks ago and admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where he died at the age of 85.

As befitted a man of his literary talents, Mr Hinton had written down what he called "some information the press or parson may care to have". In it, he described himself as "John George Hinton, former FIMS, MISM and registered nurse. Retired chief petty officer medical assistant of the Royal Navy and Reserves. Holder of the RNVR long service medal and clasp, the service medal of the Order of St John and other ironmongery."

As a boy brought up in the Wyld’s Lane area of Worcester in the 1930s, he attended Stanley Road School and sang in Worcester Cathedral voluntary choir. At the age of 14 he began work in a tailor’s shop and shortly after joined the St John Ambulance Brigade.

However, the war intervened and in 1942 Mr Hinton joined the Royal Navy, transferring to the Reserves at the end of hostilities and continuing to serve until he was 45.

For nearly 30 years he was a rent collector and estate officer with Worcester City Council. He was also a keen swimmer and was known for swimming in the river Severn all year round. "It might seem mad, but when the air temperature is below freezing, the river water seems like a warm bath," he once remarked.

However, it was for his bell ringing John Hinton was best remembered and, indeed, achieved some national fame. He was the fifth generation of an old Worcester bell ringing family and recognised as a fine handbell soloist. In the 1970s he appeared on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks playing his unique boxed set of handbells and was officially registered as the smallest team of handbell ringers in Britain.

Among the many organisations he belonged to were Worcester Cathedral Guild of Bellringers and Worcester Male Voice Choir.

John Hinton is survived by his widow Iris, son Philip, daughter Anne and six grandchildren.

His funeral service took place at Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday, July 1st, at 11am. His self-written obituary concluded: "Sorry to be leaving so many behind, but looking forward to what lies ahead."

Mike Pryce
(reproduced by kind permission of the Worcester News).

John Hinton was the sixth generation of his family to ring in Worcester. His ancestors were probably ringing in the city’s churches in 1800. His son Phil and some of his grandchildren are continuing the family pastime and John’s love of bells and bellringing.

The Cathedral’s ringers rang the harmonic minor ten (half muffled) and bourdon before John’s funeral and the twelve ‘open’ afterwards. A plain course of Grandsire Triples was rung on handbells during the service which was conducted by the Cathedral’s Precentor Canon David Stanton.

M.R.