MEMBERS of local sports clubs and business organisations will mourn the passing of Dennis Bird, aged 81.

He was well respected as the former manager of Barclays Bank in Broad Street, Hereford, a past captain of The Herefordshire Golf Club, and former treasurer of the Hereford Rowing Club, the British Red Cross Society (Herefordshire), and the Hereford Group of Oxfam.

Born and bred in Kimbolton, he was educated at the local primary school and Leominster Grammar School before joining Barclays at Leominster in 1942.

After a couple of years in banking he volunteered for the RAF, training as an air gunner and serving in the Middle East. He left the service after four years to return to Barclays and held positions in Bishop's Castle, Tenbury Wells, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, before moving to Hereford in 1969.

A sporting all-rounder, he played cricket for Kimbolton in his youth and also enjoyed hockey and rowing. Golf became one of his great sporting loves and, as he moved around during his banking career, he played at many of the clubs in Shropshire and Herefordshire, including a spell as treasurer of Llanymynech Golf Club.

He joined The Herefordshire Golf Club and in 1982 took over as their captain in the year in which they were celebrating 50 years at Raven's Causeway.

He took an interest and positive role in many local organisations, and was a key figure in the development of the Hereford Rowing Club, serving them for 15 years as their treasurer.

Dennis Bird, who leaves a son Stephen, a daughter Susan and grandchildren Sarah and Matthew, was buried at Kimbolton on Monday.

Glyn Wictome