John Sylvester Sermon passed away peacefully at home in Evesham on 10th July 2021, aged 89, after a short illness. He was the much-loved husband of Pam and father of Bill, Richard and Paul, and proud grandfather of Molly, Beka, Lottie, Silke and India.
John lived for many years in Hill Rise House, Main Street, Hethe, and was active in village life. He was Secretary to Hethe PCC for five years, between 1994 and 1999. He designed the “New” Village Hall off the Hardwick Road which was opened in 1987. John attempted to stop the removal of the red telephone box next to his house by standing in it to prevent it being removed. Unfortunately, BT had their way and came very early one morning and took it away!
John was deeply interested in his family history and had traced his ancestors back to the 12th Century.
The above photo was taken in 1995 in Hethe during the celebrations for 50 years of peace following the end of the Second World War
John worked as a design consultant, achieving the National Diploma in Design (UK) and was a member of the Chartered Society of Designers. He studied design at Moseley School of Art, Birmingham, and Architecture and Design at Birmingham City University, becoming a full member of the Society of Industrial Artists (SIA) in 1957 and a Fellow of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers (SIAD) in 1970.
He was responsible for the design of the infrastructure of Milton Keynes between 1971 and 1980, i.e., street furniture, signs, lighting, architectural accessories and the general image of the town. He lectured in Professional Practice at the High Wycombe and Liverpool Colleges of Art and Design.
Over the past two decades John served on the Chartered Society of Designers as an Elected Member of Council, Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. He served as President from 2005 until 2007. John was the first person to receive the CSD Service Award at the AGM in 2015 (pictured above) marking 52 years on the Councils of the SIA, SIAD and CSD of which he served until Saturday.
