The obituary notice of John ALLDRIDGE

I was deeply sorry to learn that John had passed away. I knew him many years ago, when I was a boy spending my family holidays in Padstow.

I adored the harbour speedboats and spent hour after hour sitting at the front of Jaws II beside John. I can still picture his tattooed arms and him telling me to sit up the front. Most of all, I remember the two or three little turns he would put in at the end of each trip, before easing off the throttle as we approacched the Lower Beach — his own final flourish that gave us one last thrill and a little more spray.

John probably never knew what those hours meant to me. Padstow was the most important place in my childhood, and he was a large and very happy part of it. He was always kind enough to let an endlessly enthusiastic little boy remain beside him, trip after trip. Those memories have stayed with me throughout my life, and even now I cannot go out on one of the speedboats without feeling like that boy again.

My heartfelt condolences to John’s family. I had always hoped that, on one of my later visits, I might bump into him again around the harbour and be able to thank him in person. So I hope it is all right to say it here: thank you, John, for your patience, your kindness and some of the happiest memories of my childhood.

John great work mate and sorely missed RIP John

John, a true Gentleman
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Love
Steve & Tam x

Thank you John for the years of friendship

Thank you John for the years of friendship

Brought up with John as a youngsters in Padstow, spent years working with him on the river with tri star and the speed boats .Will greatly miss John his infectious laugh,a good friend and a great son of Padstow