A familiar sight at the BCG for 30 years ... Brian Pardey on his beloved roller ! [Terry Nash]
Bashley (Rydal) cricket, Brockenhurst football, the local umpiring fraternity and his immediate family have said their farewells to stalwart New Forest sportsman Brian Pardey, who died recently, aged 80, after a brave battle against cancer.
In the Sixties and well into the 70s, Mr Pardey was a bowling all-rounder for the Pennington and Rydal cricket teams and in the winter months a solid defender with Brockenhurst in the Hampshire League.
After he retired, Brian became a founder and highly respected member of the south coast panel and umpired regularly in the Southern Premier League.
His devotion to local cricket continued as he spent hours galore rolling the BCG square and outfield, his sterling efforts being rewarded with Bashley regularly being chosen as the Southern Premier League's Ground of the Year.
“Brian was a great competitor, whole hearted bowler, and a batsman who never gave his wicket away cheaply,” recalled Hampshire Cricket Board chairman John Wolfe, who played against him many times on the old Ashley ground on which both Rydal and New Milton played before Bashley’s ground was opened in 1979.
“Although we played amateur cricket, there was a professional approach to whatever he did. Standards were always very important to him, something he carried over to his umpiring and groundsman's duties.”
Brian Pardey played at right-back and centre-half during Jim Lawford’s long period as manager at Brockenhurst, where he was a member of the Badgers’ title winning Hampshire League Division 2 side.
There was a minute’s applause in Brian’s memory before Brock’s FA Cup tie against Lymington Town at Grigg Lane last week.
He was an important and loyal member of Bashley (Rydal), having been involved from the early years of the club’s formation, firstly as a player then as chairman,” reflected current Bashley chairman John Neal.
“During this period he was Chairman for many years and after standing down continued his support of the club by working tirelessly on the ground, creating one of the best, if not the best, outfields in the league.
“His legacy continues with his son and former club captain, Graham and now two grandchildren playing for his beloved club. He will be sorely missed.”
In the Sixties and well into the 70s, Mr Pardey was a bowling all-rounder for the Pennington and Rydal cricket teams and in the winter months a solid defender with Brockenhurst in the Hampshire League.
After he retired, Brian became a founder and highly respected member of the south coast panel and umpired regularly in the Southern Premier League.
His devotion to local cricket continued as he spent hours galore rolling the BCG square and outfield, his sterling efforts being rewarded with Bashley regularly being chosen as the Southern Premier League's Ground of the Year.
“Brian was a great competitor, whole hearted bowler, and a batsman who never gave his wicket away cheaply,” recalled Hampshire Cricket Board chairman John Wolfe, who played against him many times on the old Ashley ground on which both Rydal and New Milton played before Bashley’s ground was opened in 1979.
“Although we played amateur cricket, there was a professional approach to whatever he did. Standards were always very important to him, something he carried over to his umpiring and groundsman's duties.”
Brian Pardey played at right-back and centre-half during Jim Lawford’s long period as manager at Brockenhurst, where he was a member of the Badgers’ title winning Hampshire League Division 2 side.
There was a minute’s applause in Brian’s memory before Brock’s FA Cup tie against Lymington Town at Grigg Lane last week.
He was an important and loyal member of Bashley (Rydal), having been involved from the early years of the club’s formation, firstly as a player then as chairman,” reflected current Bashley chairman John Neal.
“During this period he was Chairman for many years and after standing down continued his support of the club by working tirelessly on the ground, creating one of the best, if not the best, outfields in the league.
“His legacy continues with his son and former club captain, Graham and now two grandchildren playing for his beloved club. He will be sorely missed.”
