Ray Pennell (Chair of St John’s Society 1998-2003) sadly passed away in Horrabridge, Devon on Sunday 2nd August 2026. He was a founder member, the first Chair of SJS and with the support of his wife Sarah, an important voice for campaigning on a number of issues, improving the area for all residents.
Ray initially worked as a teacher in Zimbabwe and it was where he met his wife, Sarah. He and Sarah moved to the UK and made their home in SE London from about 1987.
At the time, SJS also covered Brookmill Park. Some of the improvements and initiatives that SJS succeeded in included the re-positioning of the children’s playground in Brookmill Park to a safer point. He pushed for maintenance of the fountain. He was also party to contributing ideas to the redevelopment of Broadway Fields and was part of overseeing the initial ‘Party in the Park’ (2003).
He spent much time lobbying Railtrack to reduce night-time antisocial noise during essential maintenance, maintaining and reinstating the station’s Victorian canopy; campaigning with BrocSoc against the Heathrow Expansion; pushing for traffic calming measures in St John’s (including getting safer access to Brookmill Park via the Zebra Crossing); campaigning for the Seager Buildings not to be built higher.
All this was whilst continuing his support for Sarah, as she became immersed in political circles related to events in Zimbabwe. “Ray was always there for Sarah and us as a community. His unwavering support and care for Zimbabweans was over and above board”
Despite a long illness (Guillain-Barre and Transverse Myelitis) which affected his mobility, and his move to Devon in 2016 as a result, he regularly followed SJS on social media. He leaves behind his wife, Sarah, daughter Louisa and son Sam. He will be greatly missed.
“We loved knowing both Sarah and Ray. I was impressed with Ray’s ability to fix my sewing machine and all his sewing tips. But mostly we enjoyed eating fish and chips, his company and wit” (Cash & Family)
“Ray had a fine sense of humour and always shared a cheery presence with neighbours such as us. He was obviously a very smart and able man, too. I remember he managed to persuade Network Rail to part with £2K for every St John’s household with a property within noise nuisance distance of rail upgrade they had planned over three days of Christmas. Can’t think of any neighbour today who could pull off such mixture of altruism and cheek. Thank you, Ray.” (John)
“Whilst a neighbour and Secretary of SJS, when Ray was Chair, his door always remained open. Willing to discuss local issues with patience, great insight and ideas to go forward to resolve local issues whilst Sarah provided plenty of tea to keep the conversation going. Always up for a positive debate in his buzzing household. It is difficult to imagine a world without Ray.” (Litsa)
