Tributes to popular Black Country butcher, greyhound and racehorse owner

John Guest, whose family ran Guest butchers, in Castle Street, Roseville, Coseley, for many years sadly died at Russells Hall Hospital on July 2 after suffering a stroke. He would have celebrated his 82nd birthday next month.

He ran the butchers’ shop for many years and was also President of Coseley Conservative Club and as a result was well known in the Coseley, Gornal, Sedgley and Tipton communities.

His neighbour Stephanie Churchill said: “John was the best neighbour anyone could have wished for. He was always pleasant, considerate and interested in other people. Even as his health declined, he never lost his cheerful outlook or his love of life. He loved people, enjoyed helping others and was still the life and soul of any gathering. He came from a very community-focused local family. Most people in the area will remember the Guest family’s butcher’s shop in Roseville, and John also ran Coseley Conservative Club for many years.

“His mother was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) and public service and community spirit clearly ran through the family.

“John had no children, so his death sadly marks the end of that particular branch of the Guest family locally. However, the response to the Facebook post has shown just how many people remember him with great affection. He was a truly inspirational character and one of a kind. The world was a better place for having him in it.”

Mr Guest, who lived in Birmingham New Road, was an only child and ran the business with his mother Eileen until he took it over. They were pictured in the Express & Star for winning a sausage making contest.

Family friend Andrew Bladen, of Coseley, said: “John was a very popular member of the community in Roseville, having run a butcher's shop passed down from his parents. He had a passion for horse racing. I didn’t know him when he was butcher.

“He also owned a few greyhounds with my dad William, who is now 94. They raced them at Monmore Green and that escalated to horse racing with John breeding and owning several racehorses with his friend David Botterill. The best of these was the mare, Kenyan Cat, who won four races, including two valuable contests at Chester in 2011.

“I was with John on both occasions and I'll always cherish the memory of John proudly walking through the streets of Chester with this magnificent trophy under his arm on the walk back to the railway station.

When Kenyan Cat was retired to stud she produced five offspring that went on to win 15 races between them.

“We went down to Goodwood for the festival a few times and to Royal Ascot.”

Scores of wellwishers have also been posting their memories of him on Facebook page Sedgley and Coseley (Past and Present).

Jayne Smith posted: “Nice man was John always had my belly draft from him.”

Mick Westwood posted: “Good and nice man was John. I used Guests for many years. This is a sad day.”

Jack Parker, of Dudley, posted: “He was a nice guy. I went to a few Wolves away matches with him.”

June Partridge, of Wolverhampton, posted: "He was a lovely guy. I remember him as a little kid when his dad had the shop. My mum always shopped there."

June Jones posted: “My condolences to the family. Sam and I knew him through horse racing. We had shares in a horse with him. He was a lovely man.”

Wellwishers are welcome to attend his funeral on Tuesday (July 28) at Christ Church, in Church Road, Coseley, at 10.45 followed by the committal at Gornal Wood Crematorium at 11.40. The wake will be held at The Forge Pub nearby immediately afterwards.