John, who lived in the Midlothian town of Penicuik, joined the Melville management committee (before it became the board) in 1997, when Melville was still in its infancy, playing an integral part in many of the Association’s successes. He was elected to the role of secretary in 2000 serving with distinction until standing down in 2011.

A passionate advocate of social housing and the need to preserve it for future generations, John was also a keen amateur photographer and in 2014 took on the photographic documentation of Melville’s project to renovate and restore the historic ‘A’ listed Corn Exchange building in Dalkeith (completed in 2016).

Even after giving 14 years service to the board, John remained closely involved in the work of the Association, serving on the board of Melville subsidiary Ironmills Developments Limited until 2019, having been elected chair in 2015. He was also an active member of Melville’s Tenant Group, proudly representing Penicuik until 2019.

John’s enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for his local area, gentle good humour and all-round dependability will be missed by us all.

For details of John’s funeral please email Dan Hughes at Melville Housing (dhughes@melville.org.uk).