2nd Baron Sandford

John Cyril Edmondson, naval officer, curate and chaplain, politician: born 22 December 1920; Royal Navy 1939-56, Staff Commander-in-Chief Far East, 1953–55; ordained in Church of England, 1958; succeeded 1959 as 2nd Baron Sandford; Executive Chaplain to Bishop of St Albans, 1965–68; Conservative Peer in House of Lords, 1959–99; Opposition Whip, 1966–70; Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, 1970; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Environment, 1970–73, Department of Education and Science, 1973–74; chairman, Committee to review the condition and future of National Parks in England and Wales, 1971; founder, Sandford Award for Heritage Education, 1978; chairman, Standing Conference of London and South-East Regional Planning Authorities, 1981–89; a Church Commissioner, 1982–89; chairman, Community Task Force, 1975–82; president, Association of District Councils, 1980–86; married 1947 Catharine Mary Hunt (two sons, two daughters); died 13 January 2009.