In 1922, he was appointed as a part-time teacher of sculpture in the Oxford City School of Arts and Crafts.
By 1946, the schools were in 19 sites around the city and John Henry Brookes had of necessity become an accomplished cyclist.
The Morrells brewing family offered 33 acres at the top of Headington Hill and plans were drawn up, but the City Council turned them down.
There was a great public protest and a citizens meeting was held in a packed Town Hall.
For many years his pen and ink drawings were a regular feature of the Oxford Times.