20 Aug 2023
A 96-year-old craftsman who made intricate paper figures during lockdown has found himself hitting the headlines after deciding to auction off his work – but time is running out to bid on one of the lots.
John Wheeler donated the 15cm figures secretly to the Free Library in Milehouse Lane during lockdown, becoming known locally as the Mystery Maker until his identity was eventually revealed.
He was inspired by his late partner Jacquie, after making her Christmas decorations in 2019.
John’s figures featured in an exhibition at St Albans Museum, and he has now donated a large portion of his collection to raise funds and awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy as part of a local charity initiative.
Rupert, a two-year-old St Albans boy, was diagnosed with SMA when he was just eight weeks old, prompting his parents to establish Rally Round Rupert to support vital clinical research to improve the lives of all those affected by SMA.
John’s story was picked up by the BBC, much to his surprise and delight.
He told the St Albans Times: “I was quite excited and surprised about all the coverage. I’ve heard from some family and friends who saw it online then got in touch. One of Jacquie’s daughters saw it and messaged to say how much her Mum would have loved it. All of my neighbours have also been very excited to see the news reports. The biggest surprise was to hear from my nephew who lives in France who saw the story yesterday and sent a message to say ‘I’m very proud of you Uncle’!”
He decided to auction a large chunk of his collection when his neighbour Jan Shepheard met Rupert and his mother, but fans need not fear, he hasn’t completely stopped making new ones.
I” don’t make any more now apart from the ones I give to Esther Wragg for the Milehouse Free Library. They are based on the calendar and events that crop up during the year. They now have their own special house to keep them safely locked away on display.
“I recently made a Morris man in bright colours, then made a new one in St Albans colours which kept the local Morris men happy. There is a Green Man, a scarecrow and a VJ Day soldier at the moment and a surprise one is ready and waiting for September.”
Does he have a favourite?
“I’ve made so many it’s hard to choose. I like them all!
I do enjoy making the ones with the old style costumes like the soldiers with fancy hats and challenging little details. I like finding ways to hold bits in position, bend the types of paper and see it all take shape. I use all sorts of things to get the paper into position and all of the bodies start off wrapped around a wine cork!
“I’ve thought of all different ideas as I went along with Jacquie suggesting lots of things. I avoid doing real faces or any people who may be upset or offended as it’s hard to show real people in detail. I did do King Charles III for Esther for the Coronation but left his face as plain as possible!”
He’s hoping the auction will help Rupert and other children with SMA to have the best life possible: “I’m hoping to raise as much as possible but really have no idea how much that will be! But Rupert’s family are also very keen to raise awareness of SMA so the auction is doing that very nicely anyway.”
You can bid on lots of figures until 6pm on August 21 at www.jumblebee.co.uk/paperpeople or make a separate donation via https://gofund.me/35edc6af
