THE funeral takes place on Friday of writer John Bauldie, the former Bolton man who died in last week's helicopter crash which also claimed the lives of Chelsea Football Club vice-chairman, Matthew Harding and three others.

John, a former college lecturer, joined the newly-launched Q magazine as sub editor in 1987 after running a Bob Dylan fanzine called The Telegraph.

The 47-year-old writer was hailed as one of the leading authorities on Dylan and it was his passion for the legendary singer-songwriter which first brought John and Matthew Harding together. As a Bolton Wanderers fan, John also shared a passion for football with the Chelsea boss, and it was shortly after the Coca Cola Cup clash between the two teams that the tragedy occurred.

The funeral will be held at Mortlake Crematorium in Twickenham on Friday morning. Donations to the British Heart Foundation may be sent to funeral directors Andrew Holmes and Son, 378 Richmond Road, East Twickenham.

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