Former Hove councillor John Kapp dies aged 86

John Kapp, who was a Conservative councillor for Hove Borough Council in the 1990s, was 86 – and memories of his colourful character will remain vivid among those who knew him.

In 2020, John, who lived in Saxon Road, Hove, proposed transforming Brighton’s i360 into the world’s largest sundial, as visitor numbers plummeted.

John Kapp cared greatly for his community

His wacky plan would have seen 15,000 bricks installed, creating a sundial that could  be viewed from the top of the platform.

“I’m a nutter for sundials and telling the time by the old-fashioned way of the sun,” John said at the time.

“I thought this could be a really good way of getting more people into the city and using the i360 - it would certainly increase interest.”

John's sundial plan was truly unique

John was “on the side” of the attraction and wanted people to flood into the city he loved.

He also championed the idea of a London Underground-style railway - connecting Shoreham to Newhaven – that would be powered by the Rampion offshore windfarm.

In 2016 John made the headlines after painting two-foot high letters reading “Vote Leave” on three giant commercial adverts that were against Brexit.

The then 80-year-old also painted on seven buildings and the side of a skip.

John Kapp

But it is John’s caring community work for which he will be remembered by all – particularly in 2009 when he launched a campaign for £50 of alternative medicine provided to anyone who needed it through the NHS.

John, a former engineer, had three daughters with his first wife Janet, who died of cancer in 2000.

Sylvia, John’s youngest daughter, died aged 43 of cancer, in 2013.

He is survived by second wife Phoebe Wyss, his daughters Annabel and Belinda, four grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

John Kapp died on Wednesday, August 3, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.