JOHN McGLASHAN

1934 – 2021

John was an only child, born to parents who ran an isolated sheep farm in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He spent an idyllic childhood roaming the hillsides, and helping his father muster sheep on horseback.

Inspired by seeing Casablanca to seek a job in filming, his first assignment as an assistant cameraman was the Queen’s visit to New Zealand in 1953. He then realised his ambition to join the BBC in England, where he worked on many cultural and religious series, such as Monitor, The Ascent of Man and The Sea of Faith, as well as popular programmes such as Z Cars, Dr Who and Porridge.

Highlights during that time were working with the poet Sir John Betjeman on his programmes Metroland, A Passion for Churches and Summoned by Bells, and with Jonathan Stedall, who directed the latter. Both became friends. With Jonathan, he subsequently made several films in India, igniting a lifelong love of that country.

John went on to become Lighting Director on many television dramas, and a member of the British Society of Cinematographers. He was nominated for four BAFTA awards. He retired from the BBC in 1994, but continued to work freelance for another ten years on a variety of dramas and series such “Silent Witness” and “Monarch of the Glen”.

Despite considerable success in his professional field, there was another very important spiritual dimension to John’s life. In 1973, he was ordained to the Liberal Catholic Church. For twenty five years he was non-stipendiary Priest-in-Charge of St Francis Church, Camberley, running spiritual camps for families locally at Tekels Park. More recently he served for two years as a Deacon here at St Barnabas.

He met his wife Judy when they worked together on a documentary film in India, and they married in 1990. His four children from a previous marriage, four grand-children and three great-grandchildren all live in New Zealand and Australia.

John was a quiet man, modest, gentle and wise. He was loved by many with whom he worked and shared his church life, and he leaves a legacy of which his family are very proud.