John Potts: A pro in two worlds

Award-winning journalist and distinguished amateur theatrical personality John Potts has died at his home in York, aged 73.

His death, only hours after attending a pantomime performance at York Theatre Royal, shocked his many friends in the city and beyond.

Although he retired in 1988 after 37 years with the Evening Press, John continued to write a regular column for the paper, stimulating discussion and often sparking controversy.

He also continued his close association with the Theatre Royal, where he had been chairman of the board of governors for 10 years.

At the time of his death, he was also president of York Light Opera Society, a group which he helped to found and which he chaired for 20 years Tributes to his skill as a journalist and his hard work for amateur theatricals in York, poured into the Evening Press offices today.

Editor Liz Page said: "John was a long-standing and popular columnist, whose views used to provoke a lively response from readers through our letters column.

"He will be greatly missed by the paper and by our readers."

Donald Wilkinson, former deputy editor of the Evening Press, said: "He was a first-rate journalist of the old school.

"He was a prolific and perceptive writer, often controversial but honest in his opinions."

Geoffrey Turner, chairman of York Light Opera Society, said: "He had been with the society since its foundation back in the early Fifties; he was my predecessor for 27 years.

"All of us are absolutely devastated.

"He was very much the father-figure of the society; he will be sadly missed.

"He has taken an active interest, even after he retired from administration work for the Society.

"He wrote the programme notes for our next production, Barnum, starting on February 9. As it has turned out, that is his last contribution to the society he has served so well."

Elizabeth Jones, executive director of York Theatre Royal, said: "He was a strong and popular chairman and members of the Theatre Royal staff and acting company will remember him with great affection.

"Since his retirement from the board, he has retained strong links with the theatre through the Light Opera Society. He was a loyal supporter; we shall miss him."

Former colleague Stacey Brewer, who worked alongside John for many years, said: "I admired his professionalism.

"He could produce 'copy' almost to order, to meet hard deadlines.

"But no matter how little time he was given, he always wrote with authority and astonishing clarity."

Always proud of his northern roots - he was born at Washington, Co Durham - John began his journalistic career as a copy boy on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

During the Second World War he joined the army and served in India, Ceylon, Java and Singapore.

He returned to Newcastle to become a sub-editor and moved to York as a sub-editor and chief copy taster in 1951.

He became the paper's first features editor in 1965, and on taking over as assistant editor in 1968 held both posts for 18 years.

John was the paper's chief leader writer for many years.

In 1987, he won the Yorkshire columnist of the year award, and was runner-up in 1988.

A member of the York Festival Board during three festivals, he was a member of the Arts Council's drama advisory panel for four years.

On his retirement in 1988, the then editor of the Evening Press, Richard Wooldridge, said in tribute: "He is a real professional and in my view, no higher tribute can be made."

John leaves a widow, Jean, and two sons; Stephen, aged 42, an architect, and David, 38, who is in marketing.

Stacey Brewer , 16/01/99

John's pot shots always hit a nerve

John Potts entertained readers and infuriated officialdom, for years with his weekly, award-winning column. In tribute, we reproduce some nuggets of his wit and wisdom

On Arthur Scargill ...

Some folk used to call him "King Arthur". But I suggest he'd be better known as "Gallipoli" Scargill. He sent his men over the top in one of the most disastrous strikes in trade union history... Now a large part of Scargill's troops have mutinied and formed an army of their own. Poor old "Gallipoli" - or should we call him "Lip" for short? (May 1985)

On Coronation Street's decision to ditch Derek Wilton ...

The awful McDonald clan, the giddy hairdresser's assistant, the uncouth couple who bought Jack and Vera's house - not one of them would be missed as Derek will be missed. If they had to kill off an oldie, why not that ridiculous Romeo, Ken Barlow? (March 1997)

On Labour's new red rose symbol ...

When I see Neil Kinnock with his single red rose, I worry about young men who appear on sweethearts' doorsteps bearing a single red rose. Will they get a bucket of water over them from suspicious fathers averse to political canvassers? (March 1986)

On travellers ...

I get furious at the way in which these travellers thumb their noses at the law - and worse, the rest of society. They live in some style (some of their caravans are palatial). I don't know to whom they pay their taxes and rates, but they seem to me to impose intolerably on the rest of us. (August 1987)

On the Swiss bid to take over Rowntrees ...

A Swiss reporter asked if there were any signs of an anti-Swiss backlash, any talk of a boycott of British goods. No, I said, we are rather more sophisticated than that. Besides, what point is there in boycotting cuckoo clocks? (May 1988)

On modern life ...

I was amused to read that an unmanned tape machine playing during the early hours at Severn Sound, the local radio station, Gloucester, went haywire and played the music backwards. The station managing director says they have received no complaints. I'm not surprised; most of the music I hear on the radio would sound just as good backwards. (February 1987)

...The Bishop of Leicester, Dr Richard Hutt, says some of the young men who discuss being priests "come to see me wearing a jewel in one lobe". Soon we won't be able to tell if the church is ordaining women priests or not... (June 1987)

On football clubs' greed ...

The soaring cost of big time soccer could price many spectators out of the game... I hope these stars enjoy their wealth. But they will be on thin ice if supporters' cash and newspapers' generosity starts to run out. (May 1997)

On the BBC ...

Liz Forgan, head of BBC Radio, has just had her office refurbished at a re-ported cost of £10,000. The carpet is baize green, the chairs and curtains the colours of every snooker ball. Sounds potty to me; now all she needs is Hurrican Higgins as butler. (Aug 1993)

On the death of Diana ...

Perhaps, arising from the grief, anger and bitterness, there will now arise hope that those who may seem remote and far from the throng will listen to the messages which the people of Britain send them. That, and her boys, would be Diana's most precious legacy. (September 1997)

19/01/99

Funeral tributes to John Potts

Mourners gathered at a York church to pay their last respects to award-winning journalist and distinguished amateur theatrical personality John Potts.

Family and friends were joined by people from the newspaper industry as well as those from the city's theatre scene for the funeral at St Clement's Church, Scarcroft Road, York.

Mr Potts, who leaves a widow, Jean, and two sons, Stephen, 42, an architect, and David, 38, who is in marketing, died only hours after attending a pantomime performance at York Theatre Royal.

During the funeral service, Mr Potts, 73, was remembered as someone who was "proud of his Northern roots" and gave his full commitment to everything he did.

In particular, Mr Potts, who was president of York Light Opera Society at his death, was praised by his colleagues there for being dedicated and hardworking.

A spokesman at the society said: "His contribution to the society was immeasurable, and the standard of the society today is in no small measures due to John's efforts."

He added that in his early days of acting, John Potts was fondly remembered for his comedy roles.

He was born into a musical family, worked in close association with the Theatre Royal, and was chairman of the board of governors for ten years.

He was also a member of the York Festival Board and the Art Council's drama advisory panel.

Born in Washington, Co Durham, he was equally admired as one of York's best-known journalists - a career which began as a copy boy on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

25/01/99

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.