Janet Mary Bull 1946 - 2010
The sad loss of Janet Bull of Radcliffe on Trent after a long illness has been felt not only by ringers but also by the many people in the village to whom she meant so much.
Janet Hudson, or Jan as she was known to most people, was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire daughter of Mim and Bill Hudson, living initially in Lea and later in Willingham by Stow. Jan attended Willingham primary school and then Gainsborough High School following which at age 18 she moved to London to join the Metropolitan police. Jan had been taught to ring at Lea and being based in the “section house” at Putney it was natural that she should visit St Mary’s Putney. It was here that she met Brian Bull, then tower captain, romance blossomed, and in 1967 they were married at St Mary’s church, Stow, Lincolnshire.
Brian’s work with the civil service evolved with a move to Nottingham in 1968 and Radcliffe became and remained their home. The family expanded with the birth of Christine in 1969, Alison in 1971 and Martin in 1975, all of whom learnt to ring. Jan, together with Brian, was very much part of the life of the village involved with ringing and other church activities, teaching swimming and carnivals. Jan was also an accomplished seamstress to the extent of making many wedding dresses.
Jan always aspired to accomplish new things and once her children had grown up she returned to education. She gained a BSc in Agriculture and Food Science from Nottingham University and followed up with a course on garden design. Together with Brian she set up a garden design business but this had to stop in 2001 when Jan was diagnosed with a terminal cancer, Myeloma.
It is a tribute to Jan’s determination and faith that, accepting a variety of treatments, she managed to live an active, albeit more limited life for nearly ten years. During this time she trained as a Reader and preached at both Radcliffe and Shelford and continued pastoral work which came naturally to her. She also continued singing in the church choir and music group, taking singing lessons to overcome chest problems. Above all Jan loved her family and was able see her three children married and enjoy the birth of eight grandchildren.
Jan’s ringing achievements included 69 peals and some 328 quarter peals. Her first peal was ringing the treble at Willingham to 7 Minor methods in July 1965 and her last, Yorkshire Surprise Major, at Radcliffe in November 1997. It was a great frustration to Jan that latterly her ringing was limited by her illness.
Following a private cremation, a thanksgiving service for Jan took place in Radcliffe Church on 4th May where the building was packed with some 350 people from the many walks of life touched by her. Bells were rung before the service and ringers attended from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, London and elsewhere. A tribute was read by Joan Reynolds, a local ringer and a moving address given by son Martin.
Ringers marked Jan’s passing with peals at Radcliffe, Woodborough and Putney and also a quarter at her childhood home of Willingham. It was all a fitting appreciation of a life very much given to helping others and our sympathies go out to Brian and all their children and grandchildren.
Chris Mew
