Tributes to John Wand, founder of Roadphone in Bourne
Tributes have been paid to a ‘humble’ man who gave his time generously to support the town in which he lived and worked.
John Wand established the communications company Roadphone, which supplied equipment to events and businesses throughout the world.
Despite dealing with international clients and events, John always found time to help his community, providing a sound system for Remembrance Day in Bourne, as well as ‘Santa’s sleigh’ each year to support the local Lions Club’s sleigh run.
Matt Bostock, who worked with John for the past 10 years, said: “He was really hands on and would give up his time to help make things happen.
“He had helped with the sleigh run since I was a child, and would lend the Lions a vehicle for a month and provide a music system and speakers.
“For the 100th anniversary of the First World War he made silhouettes of soldiers to be displayed in Bourne, and he created the shower of paper poppy petals that rained down on people who had gathered for the commemoration. He did these things, but never for the recognition.”
Jake Jacobs, secretary of the Bourne Branch of the Royal British Legion and community service officer for the Bourne and District Lions Club, described John as ‘humble’.
“On the morning of Remembrance he would be out at 6.30am helping us. I can’t think of anyone who has supported us more in this way.
“I had planned to nominate him for an MBE, but when Covid-19 struck I was concerned the paperwork would not get looked at. It is my biggest regret that I didn’t get in his nomination.
“In my experience there was no-one in our town who has done as much to quietly help others. He always stayed in the background; he was so humble and a man of his word.”
While still at school, John began working in the family business, JH Wand, selling home electrical appliances, before setting up his own shops selling mobile phones in the late 1980s.
More recently, John’s team has provided communications solutions for top sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League, The Grand National, The French Open tennis tournament and various marathons, as well as events closer to home, including the Baston Car Show.
John’s widow, Hazel, daughter, Jill and son, Steven, continue to run Roadphone.
“Dad liked to be busy,” said Jill. “His hobby was work - he was always taking things apart and improving them.
“He is all around us still because everything here has been a team effort with him involved. We will carry on the things he started, including supporting the sleigh run and Remembrance.”
John died, following a fall, at Peterborough City Hospital on October 19 aged 70. His funeral has been held.
