Bowlers mourn their chairman (From Hereford Times)

Bowlers mourn their chairman

8:30am Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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THE popular chairman of Leominster Bowling Club, Brian Cade, has died at the age of 74.

Brian, who died last week, had been a club member at Leominster for more than 25 years.

He also played at Leominster & District Indoor Bowling Club and skittles at the town’s Rankin Club.

“His input and enthusiasm was tremendous and he was also involved in the Herefordshire county bowls scene,” said Gerald Pitt, Leominster Bowling Club’s secretary.

“Brian captained Leominster Bowling Club in 1989 for two years and was a very prominent player. He played for the county on a number of occasions.”

Pitt said Brian, who lived in Leominster, and Cliff Knight once won the county pairs and represented Herefordshire at the National Championships in Worthing.

“Brian became club chairman in 2000 at the same time as I became secretary, so we have worked together a lot,” said Pitt.

“It’s a very sad loss. He was a good captain, a good club player and a smashing all-round guy,” said Pitt, also secretary of Leominster & District Indoor Bowling Club.

Brian had, for many years, been a selector for the county’s teams and was also heavily involved with the Middleton Cup.

Brian, who formerly lived in Orleton, played skittles for the Cobblers team at Leominster’s Rankin Club.

He was a skilled skittler and had been the top-ranked player at the Rankin Club in 2008.

Rankin Club stalwart John Beaman said Brian was a respected player who was involved with the family’s fruit and vegetable business in Ludlow.

Former Leominster cricketer Jeremy Finney remembered locking horns with Brian on the cricket field.

Finney said Brian had been a good cricketer and an aggressive batsman.

“I remember one occasion when he hooked me out of the ground in a Ludlow Knockout match,” said Finney.

Brian is survived by wife Audrey and four children.

A service of thanksgiving to celebrate Brian’s life is taking place at St George’s Church in Orleton next Tuesday (March 23) at 1.30pm.