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John Charles Norman Bunting
Born in Alcester at 5 High Street on 30th January 1939, my first school was the Alcester National School in School Road but, on the recommendation of a specialist from the Birmingham Children's Hospital, I was sent in January 1948 to a boarding school in the Cotswolds, away from the damp atmosphere of Alcester and the Arrow Valley. I was never ill again! I left school after "O" levels and travelled daily on the LMS train from Alcester station to Birmingham College of Commerce where I took "A" levels. Called up for National Service in the RAF, I trained as a policeman and was posted to Germany for 20 months, part of the time being spent in Berlin before the wall was built. On my return, I went into the family grocery business, established in 1901, at 5/7 High Street Alcester to help before going on training courses. Unfortunately my father had a thrombosis a month after my demobilisation and died 2 years later in 1962. My training became hands-on as running the business made it impossible to get away.
The family was traditionally involved in Alcester life, with both my grandfather and father serving on the Parish Council and as High Bailiff. My first local involvement was as a member, and later chairman, of Alcester Chamber of Trade which was very active at this period. It started and ran the Street market, organised flowers in the street and put up Christmas lights and bunting. I was then elected to Alcester Rural District Council for 3 years. With the 1974 changes in local Government I helped to form a committee called the Ratepayers Association in an effort to try and combat the massive rises in rates caused by the changes when Stratford District Council was formed. At about the same time I was elected to Alcester Parish Council (later Alcester Town Council) becoming Mayor in 1990.
My activities have included being a committee member for many of Alcester's celebrations - the Jubilee in 1977, Prince Charles' wedding in 1981, Beacon for Europe and the millennium party in 2000.
I am an active member of Royal British Legion and organised the local Poppy Appeal for 3 years. I am a Town Council trustee to the Newport, Moorfields, Church Street Properties and United Charities of Alcester.
As a millennium project, I chaired a group to publish our book, "100 years of Alcester" and also organised an exhibition of memories to celebrate 50 years of peace 1945 to 2005. I actively promoted our Heritage Centre from its conception in the 1970s and Alcester Local History and Civic Societies.
Always a keen sportsman I played cricket at Ragley but my main game was hockey playing for Evesham and Worcestershire. I was a member of the group formed to rebuild the tennis courts and club and later became chairman.
I live with my wife, Bronwen, in Seggs Lane and have two children, Nicholas and Louise, 2 grandchildren, and 2 step sons Tomos and James.
I serve on the Amenities Committee and am Chair of the Recreation Committee.
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