John has been involved with the band since his daughter, Beth, joined the band aged 6, 15 years ago. Although having such a long association with Cockerton, he only just decided to have a go at blowing late last year. (Having learnt to play many years ago with the Humberside & District Catholic River-wideners Association Federated Brass Band). John restarted his musical career on an Eb Bass but soon moved over onto a more portable tenor horn instrument. Progress is slow because of acute, and possibly terminal, laziness and other distractions.
 
John is the band's very own compère, renowned for his corny (but clean!) jokes and humorous snippets from exam papers, newspaper headlines and parish magazines. John also handles public and press relations for the band. When not trying to raise money for the band John is also involved as a non-executive director of The Holiday Homes for Pets Pie Company.