Jon enrolled in the Art Foundation course at nearby Ravensbourne College. A huge contrast to the constricting atmosphere of St Olaves, Jon enjoyed the freedom to experiment with new processes that he hadn't had access to whilst completing his Art A level. Jon made many new friends who included girlfriend Alex Buglass, Ian Ashby, Tim Reid, Graham Uden, Bill Webb, Sue Watts and Emma Mitson. Jon ran the Christian Union at first and at this time Emma and Sue nicknamed Jon 'Holy Shoes'.
Line up
The Cole boys, from left to right: Brian, Phil, Jon, Simon, Tim and Marley in the garden of 25 Orchard Road. Bromley
Pennine Way
Jon, Phil and two other friends, Tim Bower and Martin Crisp, embark on the Pennine Way, a trek along the rugged backbone of England. The walk offered 268 miles of the finest upland walking in England from the Peak district to Kirk Yetholm, just over the Scottish border. It also featured blisters, hunger, cold and a helicopter rescue of one of the number to nearby Bristol accident and Emergency
School Years
5
A school Photo of Jonathan Cole and older brother Philip
From about four years old, Johnnie one of my grandsons has shown great artistic potential. Now he is a talented artist but some of his first efforts required very tactful comments from the viewer. I shall never forget my favourite, a frightening creature executed in mauve and orange crayons. He informed me proudly that it was a lion.
'But it hasn't got a tail' I pointed out.
Whereupon Johnnie, with the superior scorn of a four-year-old addressing an adult half wit said scathingly.
'Of course it hasn't got a tail. But it's got a cough'
I suppose I should have known!
This excerpt was written by Jon's grandad, Reg Yearley, fondly known as 'Poppa'
Birth
Born; Jonathan David Westlake Cole, second son to Linda and Brian Cole in Fareham, Hants