Sorry to hear of John's passing.
Although we had a quarrel in here about 10 years ago, I introduced myself to him on the ArcEuro stand at the Midlands show and cleared the air.
Subsequently had email dealings with him on the matter of gear hobbing after I had written the HobNail spreadsheet for Giles Parkes (also RIP)
I put him in touch with Giles' daughter to dispose of the workshop, John being in Notts being much closer to Llangollen than me down in Chippenham.
Two stalwarts sadly missed.