Category: Obituaries

Lord Boswell of Aynho, whose political career spanned four decades, has died aged 82.

By Laura Coffey, BBC political reporter, Northamptonshire

Copyright – BBC News, 03-Sept. 2025

The former Conservative MP was first elected to the Daventry constituency in 1983 and held the seat until 2010.

The Lord Speaker announced his death in the House of Lords on Monday, stating the former member had died on 30 August.

The chairman of Daventry Conservative Association and leader of the Conservative group on West Northamptonshire Council, Dan Lister, said: “He will be remembered not only for his dedication in Parliament, but also warmth, kindness and genuine care he showed to people in our community.”

He added Lord Boswell was “always approachable and ready to listen and his contribution to local life will be fondly remembered”.

In John Major’s government he was a minister, first at the Department of Education and then at Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

He was also deputy speaker in the House of Lords between 2018 and 2019.

He retired from the House of Lords in July.

Lord Boswell (centre) with fellow former MPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Dame Andrea Leadsom at an event in September 2024

His Daventry constituency was redrawn in 2010, when the South Northamptonshire seat was created.

Dame Andrea Leadsom, the former Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, said: “Northamptonshire was his home and he cared deeply about our beautiful countryside, our fascinating history and also about the wellbeing of all who live and visit here.

“He will be very much missed, and I am personally very grateful for his kindness and wise advice for me when I became the MP for South Northamptonshire in 2010.”

He lived in the village of Aynho in west Northamptonshire for 57 years.

Chris Heaton-Harris, also a former Conservative MP, said: “Following on from Tim as the MP for Daventry was actually quite daunting.

“He was widely respected across the political parties nationally and locally and had built a reputation for being a first class constituency MP who deeply cared for and respected his constituents.”

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Note – Tim Boswell attended the school from 1952 to 1956 and was the first President of The Wells House School Association. Tim attended the reunion lunch in October 2023 and spoke about his time at the school and his political career in both Houses of Parliament .

 

 

John Alexander (1947-2024)

Died July 21st 2024

The following obituary was kindly provided by John’s wife, Jane.

John was born in Pinvin, Pershore in 1947. He briefly moved to Solihull for a few years, then to Evesham and when he was 18 moved to Pensham, Pershore, where he remained until his death.

His years at school were at Wells Court and Well House in Malvern and then St. Edward’s, Oxford. After graduating in Law he was articled to Needham and James in Birmingham, he then moved to Westons in Kidderminster where he met his future wife, Jane. Westons then amalgamated with Thursfields and Adams whereupon he was transferred to the Stourport branch, taking Jane with him as his secretary. He then set up his own business in 1975 with his brother, William, and Alexander & Co was born.

In 1979 he married Jane Lloyd at Chaddesley Corbett church, near Kidderminster. They then had two boys, Thomas and George.

He had numerous hobbies and started bell ringing at Pershore Abbey in his early twenties where he has rung ever since for Sunday services, weddings and practices. He had a strong affiliation with the Abbey taking on the duties of sidesman and intercessor.

He loved all aspects of the countryside and nature and had a genuine love of gardening, vegetable growing and all wildlife. In his retirement he took up beekeeping and was Treasurer of Evesham beekeepers. He also had a great love of classical music and latterly took up choral singing, joining Pershore choral and Worcester Philomusica where he performed in many concerts.

He was a keen tennis player and represented Pershore for many years in matches across the county. He enjoyed swimming and cricket, playing for Worcester lawyers.

John loved Pershore and the village of Pensham and enjoyed contributing towards the community. He was chairman of Pershore Civic Society and contributed toward the establishment of Number 8 Theatre in Pershore.

John was a real gentleman and family man. He lived life to the full and was very kind and full of fun.

He died at home surrounded by his family on July 21^st 2024. He will be sorely missed by all the people whose lives he touched.

His funeral was held at Pershore Abbey on 9^th August at 12:00 midday.