We have learned of the death of John Dale, a founder of the Hazel Grove Music Company that dominated the UK pool table manufacturing scene in its heyday of the 1970 and 80s.
John, who died on January 25 at the age of 84, was one of the three founders of Hazel Grove, along with Barrie Denton and Norman Rimmer.
Largely with John’s mechanical engineering ability, they developed a pool table to British specifications, using the small ball, small pocket design that was in demand from British players.
Operating their own juke box company, they became aware of the demand that was not being satisfied by US producers, who maintained that only large ball, large pockets would be preferred.
Hazel Grove, starting in pool table production in 1970, went on to make many thousands of tables of all dimensions for the UK and some overseas markets, from a factory at Cheadle, near Manchester. They ran a thriving tournament programme as well. They sold the company in 1990 to Associated Leisure.
John, in retirement, went into farming, specialising in his love of breeding shire horses.
Former Hazel Grove director Stephen Kalton said: “John was a brilliant mechanical engineer. He designed the ball return system that Hazel Grove went on to patent. All three of them loved to get out on the factory floor and contribute.”
Stan McKenna, who was sales director of the company, said: “It is very sad to hear about John. Along with his partners he created HGM in 1963, starting as juke box operators and moving into pool tables, wall boxes and even AWP machines. At its peak the company employed over 200 people.
"John was a brilliant engineer and was the innovator of the famous Superleague Pool Table and invented many of the features that are still used on pool tables to this day. His legacy will live on for years. Above all, he was a lovely man, kind and very supportive. He will be greatly missed.”
In the photograph, John, Barrie and Norman are in the front of the picture with John on the left. Stephen Kalton is on the back, right, and over on the left is Stan McKenna.
John left a wife, Jeanie and two sons, Richard and Tim. The funeral will be held at noon on February 24, at St Mary’s Church, Nether Alderley, SK19 4TW.
Our sympathy goes to Jeanie and her famly.
