Farewell to proud Prestonian and internationally renowned architect John Whalley

Architect John Mayson Whalley’s glittering career took him all over the world, but the high flying former pupil of Preston Grammar School remained loyal to his local roots and cherished his home town.
Architect and landscape architect John WhalleyArchitect and landscape architect John Whalley
Architect and landscape architect John Whalley

“He was of a generation that is disappearing, a gentleman – we will not see his like again."

That was just one of the many tributes which have been paid to architect and landscape architect John Mayson Whalley of Longridge following his death at the age of 87.

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A proud Prestonian, born in 1932, his chosen career was inspired by his Preston Grammar School art teacher Harry Ogle.

Watercolour painting of Glasson Docks, painted in 1954 by John WhalleyWatercolour painting of Glasson Docks, painted in 1954 by John Whalley
Watercolour painting of Glasson Docks, painted in 1954 by John Whalley

John's own watercolour studies, sketching gifts, painting of the school’s art room frieze, A-level art trips to the continent and parental encouragement, fuelled his ambition which led to his acceptance in 1951 by the Liverpool School of Architecture.

His career took him all over the world but Preston remained home.

The friendships he made at both school and university were lifelong.The first led to his presidency of PGS (Preston Grammar School) Old Boys Association. He gave the address at its final dinner shortly after his cancer diagnosis in 2019. He also organised reunions of fellow Liverpool "Year '56" graduates for the annual prize giving. As a past winner of the coveted Sir Charles Reilly Medal for Design, he was pleased to present it to the 2018 recipient.

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Before leaving Liverpool with first class honours, John completed a post graduate year for a Masters in civic design. He valued the vocational architectural experience he gained during his studies with Preston’s George Grenfell Baines and Hargreaves (which in 1961 became Building Design Partnership) and with Harry Walters and Tom Mellor of Lytham.

Part of watercolour painting of St Mary's Gate, Lancaster, painted in 1954 by John WhalleyPart of watercolour painting of St Mary's Gate, Lancaster, painted in 1954 by John Whalley
Part of watercolour painting of St Mary's Gate, Lancaster, painted in 1954 by John Whalley

In addition he contributed to the décor design for the Preston Guild Mayoral Ball 1952 and worked for Sir Frederick Gibberd on Harlow New Town.

More experience, plus a means of extending an early passion for cars, rallying and travel in general, came through the award of two prestigious scholarships - the Leverhulme and Fulbright.

The Leverhulme took him to Scandinavia and Rome to study town planning and architecture. The Fulbright took him to to Philadelphia’s University of Pennsylvania where he gained a Masters in Landscape Design taught by renowned Scottish landscape architect and ecological planning pioneer, Professor Ian McHarg. Here he visited notable sites such as the Morris Arboretum and Yosemite National Park and worked with major architects Oscar Stonorov and Otto Reichhart.

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Returning home in 1960 he again worked with Grenfell Baines and Hargreaves and worked on several projects including initial research on the iconic Preston Bus Station and on Manchester University’s student village.

He renewed local sports interests with his top sport being cricket. He played in both of Preston’s hockey club,s had followed Preston North End’s matches with his father from boyhood and enjoyed golf, fishing and sailing on many family holidays on Anglesey.

After meeting landscape architect Derek Lovejoy in 1962, John joined his emerging practice in Surrey. The Derek Lovejoy Partnership became one of the best known practices in its field with several offices overseas plus five in the UK. John opened the sixth in Manchester in 1963.

During his time with DLP he worked on overseas commissions including in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and in France. He was elected to the French Order of Architects for the Parc de la Courneuve in Cergy Pontoise outside Paris.

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In the UK his portfolio included three international garden festivals in Liverpool, Stoke and Gateshead, Munich’s Internationale Gartenbau Austerlung, plus the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase and power stations including that at West Burton.

John’s achievements lead to him becoming RIBA’s (Royal Institute of British Architects) north west chairman, Manchester Society of Architect’s chairman and president of the Landscape Institute for a two-year tenure during which he met the Queen and, at a Buckingham Palace garden party, had a conversation about the quality of sausages in British Rail dining cars with Prince Philip.

John was also an assessor for the Civic Trust and Britain in Bloom and served on the board of the Tree Council and on the Rural Buildings Heritage Trust.

After leaving DLP in 1992, he formed his own practice, JMW International, with work mainly in Japan. Projects of note included roof gardens, My Fair Garden on a multi-storey complex near Tokyo being a favourite, Nanatsudo Park, a Tokyo planning strategy and housing, and a retail British food-centred complex in Kishiwada.

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During the past year he was collaborating with good friend and colleague Francesco Vio on a glasshouse design project on the south coast, designs for which had originated in Japan.

And whatever continent he was on, as a total jazz buff – in Japan it was always the Blue Note in Tokyo, membership of Ronnie Scott’s in London, he was always keen to share his enthusiasm for Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and others with all who would listen with him.

His son James, in the tribute at his funeral, said: “Dad had a full life be it work, travel or family life, he was clever, thoughtful and funny, he was a true gentleman, he never became ‘old’ but he could be ‘old school’ and was the quintessential host….he was a man who lived life on his own terms.”

John is survived by his wife, former Post and Longridge News journalist Gillian, two daughters and a son and six grandchildren. The couple married in 1966. He died on June 11 and the funeral was held at St Lawrence's church, Longridge.

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