If you grew up in Leeds in the 1960s you may remember John Calvert – not by his name but simply as the 'Headingley Cowboy'.
John would ride a horse on the streets of Leeds in full cowboy gear, including a 10-gallon hat, bandana, boots and a bullwhip. Sometimes he would wear the headdress of a Native American chief.
The site of a man on horseback, dressed in cowboy gear, provided a welcome break from the drudgery of everyday life.
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John was born in Guisborough, North Yorkshire. He married Ivy in 1937 and the couple had three sons: Geoff, David and Leonard.
The couple moved to Hutton, North Yorkshire, and then Craven Road, Woodhouse, Leeds where they lived until 1966. The family moved to the Farm Hill estate, Meanwood. Neighbours would often see John's horse in his garden.
John's love of horses stemmed from his National Service when he served for a mounted section in Bermuda. He had several jobs working as a miner and a night watchman.
As the Headingley Cowboy, he was popular with children travelling to and from school and adults on their way to work. Sometimes John would board school buses and sing to the kids. According to people who grew up in North Leeds, John would also serenade passengers waiting for the bus on Woodhouse Street.
John died doing what he loved best – entertaining – while on tour in Scotland in 1977.
His granddaughter Rebecca Brumskill told LeedsLive: "He loved to entertain people and was what some people would say now as eccentric. He was kind and warm and got pleasure from making people happy and being helpful."
The Headingley Cowboy left a lasting impression on the people of North Leeds. Some shared their memories of him on the I'm From Meanwood Facebook group.
Steve Calder remembered: "Saw him in Headingley Post Office dressed as a cowboy when I was a young kid. Loved him."
Barbara Dryhurst recalled: "He brought joy to people in our part of Leeds. Wonderful!"
Alan Wilcock remembered: "He would bring his horse up to the schoolyard and would sing to all the kids."
And Vega Bermejo Castelnau said: "He was part of our childhood. He used to sing to us on the school bus."
Sometimes John, who was often found in Meanwood Park, and his horse would pull a stagecoach and offer people a ride.
Harry Leader said: "He gave me and two friends a ride on his stagecoach to Otley. One friend rode shotgun."
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