Friday
29 June 2001
Barbican mourns Cap'n Jasper |
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A
painting of Cap'n Jasper, one of the Barbican's best loved
characters
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Hundreds
of mourners attended the funeral today of one of Plymouth's most colourful
and best-loved characters.
John Dudley, otherwise known as Captain Jasper, died on Sunday from
a blood clot on the brain.
Cap'n Jasper established his legendary burger bar on the Barbican
in 1978 and from modest beginnings it went on to become a phenomenon
known to visitors from all over the world.
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The
late John Dudley
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The 70-year-old
businessman recovered from bankruptcy to launch Cap'n Jasper's, having
previously run wine bars, a brewery and a nightclub. It began life
as a charity food stall for the harbour regatta built with £200 of
borrowed money.
The business got its title from Mr Dudley's friend, the late Jim Holt,
an ocean-liner captain known to all as Cap'n Jasper.
The cheap and cheerful outdoor cafe is now a thriving business, having
moved to larger premises in 1997, when the Barbican fish market was
redeveloped.
Mike Turner has been going to Jasper's since it was first set up in
1978. He said: "John Dudley was one of the last true characters
of the Barbican. They are all dying away now. He was a real character
and we will all miss him."
Mr Dudley had a keen sense of humour and was well known for his crazy
gravity-defying inventions. A teaspoon which the Cap'n claimed had
managed "...in excess of 7,950,000 satisfactory stirs," is still mounted
on a plaque behind the counter.
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Cap'n
Jasper's was popular with people from all over the world
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Ever since the
early days, Jasper's has attracted a loyal following. Every morning
an eclectic mix of people turn up for breakfast. Fishermen, postmen
and university lecturers can all be found pontificating on the benches.
An eccentric for sure, but one with a kind heart, he raised thousands
of pounds for local charities.
John Dudley will be sadly missed by his family and his numerous friends,
many of whom were his customers first.
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