A FORMER head of the English department at Bedales, John Batstone, has died at the age of 84.

He was also well known in Petersfield for his many sporting, theatrical and political interests.

John, who was born in south London, moved to St Mary’s Road in Liss in 1968.

He and his late wife, Margaret, remained there for 25 years before moving to Petersfield following his retirement from Bedales in 1997.

Away from the school, John was a well known cricketer who opened the bowling for many years at Steep Cricket Club.

His unorthodox action made him a notorious and highly effective figure around the local leagues.

In 1974 he played a key role in the Steep side which just missed out on national triumph in the Haig Village Cricket Competition in front of a crowd of 1,000 supporters at Steep.

But it wasn’t only on the cricket field where John made his mark.

At Bedales he helped nurture the careers of future acting stars including Daniel Day Lewis, and was himself involved with local theatre groups such as The Winton Players, The Court Players and Havant’s Bench Theatre company.

As an enthusiastic actor and producer, he took part in local amateur dramatic productions right up to the point where his declining health prevented him from taking the stage.

During his retirement he was also elected as a Liberal Democrat member of Petersfield Town Council.

He served on the council for many years, only losing his seat just before he was due to become mayor of Petersfield.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair in the last years of his life after he moved to the Downs House care home in Reservoir Lane, John continued to be actively involved in the community.

He led adult education classes and organised writer visits to One Tree Books in Lavant Street.

He also continued to support local theatre and music groups.

John was a former member of Blackmoor and Petersfield golf clubs, and a familiar figure on the A325 on his Honda 70 motorbike.

He was also a regular at The Harrow Inn, between Sheet and Steep, where he enjoyed a glass of beer and meeting his many friends – a routine he maintained until shortly before his death.

John, who died on December 23, will be missed by his sons Jeremy, Matthew and Adam and his grandchildren