 His legacy |
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http://www.bbc.co.uk-/northamptoonshire/a-sop/county/gay/john.-shtml
John was involved in the BBC Northamptonshire Forgotten Fairytales project in April 2004. Click on:-
http://bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/asop/county/gay/john.shtml
and listen to John talking about the Princes Royal pub on the Wellingborough Road and also talking about prejudice.
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Profilic letter writer John Lillyman, who penned more than 2,000 messages to figures worldwide and encapsualted the responses in a book, has died.
Northampton, England, UK born John Lillyman died at his Northampton UK home on 27 December 2004. He was 47.
John spent 27 years writing letters to renowned figures including John Major. Tony Blair, Pope John Paul II and Margaret Thatcher.
The letters contained his own views on political and religious issues and were published in a book called Cubes in the Round, along with the responses.
John, an artist and member of the Northampton Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance (NGLBA), died at home in Brunswick Place, near the town centre, on 27 December 2004.
John moved from the town during his childhood and went to preparatory and public schools in Nottinghamshire before living in various places in Europe.
He finally returned to his roots a decade later where he worked as an artist specialising in oil paintings, watercolours and creating latex masks. He was a member of the Northampton Town and County Arts Society.
His letter collection began with an inaugural message to the Queen in 1977, wishing her a happy Silver Jubilee. Other recipients have included former royal butler Paul Burrell, Jeffrey Archer and Richard Branson.
John's cousin, Heather Scallan, said "John was passionate about world affairs and politics. He felt the ordinary person in the street wasn't heard which is why he wrote to so many figures. " A majority of the people replied to him and he was suprised at the amount of responses."
Stuart McQuade, Chief Executive of the NLGBA, said the organization was saddened to hear of John Lillyman's death. Mr McQuade said "John had been a strong advocate for lesbian and gay rights for many years and was never afraid to express views on such issues. "His contribution to our Forgotten Fairytales project was much valued and the NLGBA was also proud to exhibit some of John's recent work, reflecting the many talents of a community member who will be missed."
Seven months before his death, John handed a CD to funeral director Ann Bonham & Son in St. Giles Street, Northampton, containing his comments and music compiled for him. It was played during a service dedicated to him on 17 January 2005. The event was followed by another service at the Counties Crematorium.
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