Shaw, John – Policeman took to the stage

John Shaw (1933-2010)

A FORMER police inspector John Shaw will be remembered for being a larger than life character.

He was a familiar face around Grantham and he could not be missed not only because of his busy social life but also because he was 6ft 6.

Scunthorpe-born John and his family moved around Lincolnshire before settling in North Hykeham, where he met his wife-to-be Ann.

She said: “I was walking my dog one day when a policeman appeared at my side. He introduced himself and it went on from there.”

John was sent to Cyprus to work just six weeks later but when, after two years, he returned they married at North Hykeham Church in 1958.

He joined Lincolnshire Constabulary and few years later he was promoted and came to Grantham as a sergeant. In 1979 he was promoted again, this time to Inspector.

He worked at Dishforth Police Training Centre for a while but returned to Grantham as rural inspector shortly before his retirement from the police in 1985. After that he had a short spell in the prison service before becoming bursar of The King’s School and a planning enforcement officer for South Kesteven District Council from where he retired in 1996.

John also had a hectic social life and his greatest passion was rugby union, which he played and followed for many years. He also enjoyed other sports and was a member of Grantham Squash Club and Belton Park Golf Club for around 40 years.

John also had a passion for performing and was involved with the Grantham Singers, Grantham Operatic Society and Stamford Shakespeare Company, Tolethorpe.

He was also Past Master of the William Peter’s Masonic Lodge.