Tribute paid to doctor who "shaped life of Bishop's Castle"

Knowing the end was at hand, 92-year-old Dr Penney sent out for champagne for a final drink with his family, and then died peacefully in his sleep during the night.

Townsfolk turned out in force for his funeral, with the St John the Baptist Church packed to capacity.

Jimmy Garnier, who knew him for many years, said: "He helped to preserve the character and values of the town and the interests of those who live here.

"There is no doubt that St John will take his place among the community leaders who have shaped the life of Bishop’s Castle."

Gerald Norman St John Penney, who was known as St John – pronounced "sinjun" – was born in Norfolk and brought up at Ickleton, near Cambridge.

He trained at Guy's Hospital in London and by 1950 had qualified and began work as a GP.

During National Service he mainly worked in Portland Hospital.

Mr Garnier said: "Demobbed five months before his wedding, St John, following an introduction from his naval commander, arrived in Bishop’s Castle to meet Dr Bunny Clegg, one of two GPs in Bishop’s Castle, who was looking for someone to take over Dr Adam’s list on his retirement.

"St John was offered the job and started at the surgery a month later on April 1, 65 years ago.

"His first callout was to a cottage above Mainstone. Difficult to reach by car, he was taken uphill standing in the transport box on the back of a Ferguson tractor. It was then he knew that general practice was for him."

Dr Clegg retired in 1973 and St John took on the extra workload single-handedly. Introduced to Nick Howell, they set up the medical practice as a partnership, working together for 21 years.

"St John had an active 41 years running the practice, officially retiring in 1995. An excellent GP, he was always prepared to go that extra mile for his patients whom he treated as friends."

When in the 1970s the town's Stone House Hospital was threatened with closure, he led a campaign to save it.

Apart from his work as a GP, he was a town councillor for 46 years, Mayor 11 times, and seven years a district councillor.

Among other activities, he sat on the governors of the town's High School and primary school, was a member of the parochial church council, a trustee for numerous local charities, was heavily involved with the organisation of the 400th anniversary charter celebrations in 1973, set up the Old Castle Land Trust, raised money to rescue the House on Crutches, led the fundraising campaign to save the Church Barn, and was a founder member the town's civic society.

Mr Garnier said St John had a sense of duty born at a time when people in the country respected the pillars of society – the squire, the doctor and the parson.

His reputation as an amateur wine buff was legendary, reaching the regional finals of the Daily Telegraph's annual wine tasting competition several times.

He was above all, a family man.

"As a man who had the strongest sense of duty, who valued and appreciated honesty and frankness, it is not surprising that there was a move by the town to apply for an award in the Honours list. But privately, St John preferred to be remembered by his deeds, not letters."

Of his final days, Mr Garnier said he developed pneumonia and was admitted to the Stone House Hospital where he was among friends.

"Aware of his state, he was very much in control of his destiny, sorting out his financial and personal affairs, issuing instructions on the phone and to his family.

"On Monday evening he sent out for champagne, asking one of his grandsons to get a bottle from home so the family could have a final drink with him, and died peacefully in his sleep during the night."

Wife Belinda died about 18 months ago and he is survived by four children and 10 grandchildren.