Member Article

The Life of John Blades

It was fitting that John, on his 70th birthday, received a congratulatory e-mail message from Sir Stirling Moss as, apart from his reputation as a first-class tailor, ‘Johnny’ was also a legendary racing driver. He was often

seen on circuits as far apart as Ouston and Croft in the North East to famous British venues of Brands Hatch and Silverstone and further afield at European circuits such as Nurburgring.

He drove GT 40s, Chevrons, Lotus cars and Ginettas and he once held the fastest time for the old Croft circuit, Darlington, though as he quipped at the time ‘maybe for one week’.

It was his humour and talents as a tailor that made him so popular throughout the North East where he was also a keen game shot and fisherman. From his showroom outside Ponteland his strong regional business was augmented by faithful clients in the City of London who strongly believed in Johnny’s mantra that ‘a good cut makes for confidence and is a reflection of success’.

Just three years ago Johnny was re-united with the Blagdon Sprint Trophy which he last won in 1961. It was in a trophy cabinet at a Newcastle university hall of residence. At the time he said he spotted the rose bowl ‘at 30 paces’ and ‘could not believe seeing it again after 50 years’.

John Blades, the retired tailor and gentlemen’s outfitter and former racing driver was born at Hexham, Northumberland, on September 22, 1939. He died after a brave battle against cancer on December 14th, aged 78. He is survived by Val, son Julian, daughter Heidi and several grandchildren. His cremation will take place on Wednesday, December 27th, West End Crematorium, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, at 1.30pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Dobson .