John Fillingham (1869-1930)

JOHN Fillingham was the proprietor of the George Hotel, having succeeded his father William Fillingham in 1903.

A native of Grantham, on completing his edication at King’s School, he became an apprentice pharmacist with John Bell of London’s Oxford Street.

On qualifying, he returned home where he took over an established chemists shop which he ran until taking over the George.

The pharmacy continued to bear his name until the 1960s.

He was variously a town councillor, president of the Grantham Licensed Victuallers Association and Grantham Chamber of Commerce.

He was also interested in agriculture, and ran farms in Spittlegate and Little Gonerby.

Mr Fillingham had a reputation nationally as a Large White pig-breeder, winning shows at Royal and county level, as well as being a judge.

An expert fisherman, and having played when younger he was also on Grantham Cricket Club committee and for many years was chairman.