Obituary

The village of Lambourn was shocked and saddened by the sudden death on July 28th of Roy Annetts, a life long resident and sportsman. Roy was born at Upper Lambourn on the 24th September 1943, one of five children of the late Doug and Stella Annetts.

After early schooling at Lambourn he left to take up an apprenticeship as a coach builder at the well known local firm of Lambourn Engineering, at that time the largest employer in the village. He was still working there, together with his two sons when the company closed in 1991. Roy was not out of work for very long when he was to join Olympic Coachbuilders on the Milton Trading Estate; the firm having been started up by former employees of Lambourn Engineering. His younger son Paul was soon to follow. Roy was to become a foreman, a position he held right up until the day of his untimely death.

It is as a sportsman that perhaps Roy will be best remembered by the people of Lambourn. He played football, billiards and darts for the local sports club team but cricket was always his favourite pastime playing for Lambourn from 1962 until his early retirement in 1988.

He was a fast bowler and during this period he took 852 wickets to become the fourth highest wicket taker in Lambourn’s history. He took 8 wickets in an innings twice, 7 wickets 7 times and 5 wickets in an innings no less than 58 times!

No mean late order batsman scoring some 1660 runs as befits a fast bowler and an excellent fielder taking 84 catches. He is remembered by his fellow players of the day as the best fast bowler they had ever played with and history might one day say he was one of the best fast bowlers ever to play for Lambourn.

Away from cricket he the most unassuming man with never a bad word to say about anyone.

In 1970 he married Sandra and in due course they had two fine sons Neil and Paul to be followed later by two grand-daughters Lucy and Holly who he treasured. To all of whom he was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Latterly he enjoyed travelling on holidays, tending his garden, walking and watching Paul and the local team playing on the same ground where he enjoyed much success as a player.

The esteem in which he was held was shown by the attendance of well over 350 people at his funeral in Lambourn church after which he was laid to rest in Eastbury churchyard close to his parents and grandparents.

It goes without saying that he will be sadly missed and leaves a big void in many people’s lives. May he rest in peace.

Oct 09, Letter to Choughs...

"As you can imagine, our lives were turned upside down, and the last few weeks have passed in a state of shock. Slowly we are adjusting to a life without this very special person in our lives. He was a very devoted husband father and grandfather, and we all miss him terribly. Paul especially has found it very hard, they were very close, both working together and of course through their mutual love of cricket, and all other sports.  He died on Lucy’s (Paul’s eldest daughter) 9th birthday, which was very difficult for us that day, trying to keep it from her.

Roy was quiet and unassuming and by the sheer number of some 300 plus people at the funeral service not to mention the £715 collected in donations just shows how well loved and respected he was. It is with regard to the donation that I and my boys Neil and Paul and family would like to express our grateful and sincere thanks to the Choughs for the most generous donation, which has been given to the Lambourn Surgery Amenities Fund, as a village we are truly indebted to a wonderful practice that we have, and in the recent weeks have given us full support.

You may have heard from Ray that it is our wish; especially Paul’s that we hold a memorial match each year, starting next year around the time of the anniversary of his death. I am sure both Paul and Ray will keep you posted on this. It would be wonderful if some of the Choughs could be part of the day. We also intend to place a bench as a memorial to Roy at the side of the river where he always liked to sit and watch the game". Sandra Annetts

A poem to dad

You may have thought I didn’t see
Or that I hadn’t heard
Life lessons that you taught me
But I got every word.

At work you were my soul mate
You taught me all I know
To follow in your footsteps
I’m sure that’s where I’ll go.

Cricket was your passion
And one that I shared too
Every game we win now dad
I will dedicate to you.

You paid attention to me
And listened to what I said
You passed your words of wisdom
Which will always stick in my head.

I am glad you were my father
You really were the best
As a dad you were the greatest
I am so very blessed.

Without you dad I wouldn’t be
The man I am today
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

You were also a perfect granddad
No one will deny
Every time you saw my girls
You had a twinkle in your eye.

There one last thing I would like to say
Now your life is at an end
You weren’t just the greatest dad
You were also my best friend.

Choughs OBCC
Many of the tourists will only remember Roy as the jovial chap who sat with his mates in the club house. I dare say a few of us didn't even know he was Paul's dad! I cant remember a Saturday night in June when Roy wasn't there, supporting his local cricket team and sharing tales from past matches with his mates. As an original tourist I would have played against Roy before he took early retirement. What a fantastic record, I can see where Paul gets it from

I will always remember a beaming smile, a warm handshake, a man who knew where his roots were, a man much loved by his family - a content and happy man

Reading the obituary and poem above it's obvious that Roy was much loved and sadly missed but my (our) message to all those who knew Roy is to embrace what Roy gave you and let his spirit live on within Lambourn through your work and sport. We will miss you Roy but somehow I don't think you will ever be forgotten

Nigel Stevenson - on behalf of Canterbury Choughs Old Boys CC