Fishery boss John Barnes came to love fishing as a child growing up near the River Windrush.

He was born in Standlake, near Witney, the eldest of three boys and his grandparents lived at Rack End, with the river Windrush at the bottom of the garden.

His grandfather had a punt and John spent hours there - one day while fishing a kingfisher landed on his rod - it seemed like a magical experience.

After leaving school he worked at the International Stores, then Witney Blankets, the brickworks at Standlake, and for Cantwell Brothers Builders, his uncle's firm for many years.

He married June at 19, and they had three lovely daughters but sadly the marriage did not last.

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In 1973, he was offered a job at Packington Park by Major Petty of Windrush Gun Rooms. He and Janet moved there where he worked in the shop tying flies, giving tuition and looking after the fishery. Sadly after six months Janet’s father died and they moved back to Standlake.

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John Barnes

They married in 1976 and lived in a caravan at Bankfield Stud for eight years and then Bankside, a dream of his as a child. At this time he met one of his friends from Packington, Fred Evans, who asked John if he fancied going to Mayo in Ireland and so began his lifelong love of the place and people.

He worked at Atlas Express for a few years then worked for Peter Ligetwood, who wanted a boathouse built under his garden, he recruited his old time mate Frank Barrett to help him.

In the early 1980s, Sands and Gravels were extracting gravel and they dug up a field belonging to Janet. They retained the lake and so Mr Barnes’ dream of having his own fishery came about.

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He built a fishing lodge with a log burner, kitchen and toilet and ran corporate days. He did this for 30 years until sadly he was diagnosed with dementia eventually unable to continue.

Mr Barnes will be remembered by all his friends as a quick-witted helpful happy man willing to give his time. He died aged 80 on August 22 at Badby Park, Daventry, as a result of a stroke.

John Barnes was born on April 17, 1940.

He went to the local primary school in the village and then on to Henry Box School Witney.

Many of his relations also lived in the village and the brothers and cousins would spend the summer months together on the river Windrush, which ran along the bottom of his grandparents' garden, in a punt belonging to his grandfather.

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His working life began in Witney and to get there he had to cycle every day. Mr Barnes went on to work for the famous Witney Blanket Company, and this was where he met June.

She became his wife in February 1960 and they set up home in Standlake where they had three daughters together, Sandra born in January 1961, Jayne followed in March 1964 and Pauline completed the family in November 1965.

This marriage ended and in 1973 he left to work at Packington Park Estate in the fishery shop and farm. Janet also worked there and became his second wife in 1976.

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They then started a business of their own, Barnes Lake Fishery in Witney.

He died on August 22 and is survived by Janet, Sandra, Jayne, Pauline and grandchildren Ryan and Ellie.