Death of John Potter

John Potter, the man inside the Santa suit at many local events, has died.
His daughter Carol and son Adam told us: “Dad was born September 1941 in Ilkeston. He started work as a cleaner at Toton depot, then became a fireman stoking coal on steam engines, then an engine driver, and finally before his retirement he was made train crew inspector.
“His claim to fame was that he had accompanied Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the Royal train (as driver), something he was very proud of.
“He played Santa Claus for many years both at home and for the Erewash Council Christmas light switch-ons at Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Kirk Hallam and Dale Abbey. He was also Santa at Parklands… More