John Sparry brings the story of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 vividly to life in his own inimitable style. John lives close to Holbeache House, which features in the story and his local insights are bound to be of great interest.
John Sparry describes himself as a raconteur, historian and jazz musician. He also owns a second-hand bookshop in Wall Heath. He has lived most of his life in the house of which the shop occupies the small front room. His house is like stepping back in time to 1910; his back kitchen still features a black iron range, a stoneware sink and a washing boiler. There is even a wall-mounted forties-style telephone, now sadly non-functional.
He plays vibraphone “Something like a xylophone, but even heavier” with his band, the Heath Coldfield Quintet.
John has written for the Blackcountryman and he has written jazz reviews for The Listener and has broadcast talks on Radio 3 and 4, remembered for his unmistakeable Black Country accent.
This is sure to be a memorable evening with one of the areas real characters!