New Forest cricket has been saddened by the death of popular Pylewell Park cricketer Chris Todd, a real enthusiast for the game, after a courageous battle against cancer.
A former Serviceman and a true clubman, ‘Toddy’ played for Pylewell for over 30 years as a batsman and was a regular on the New Forest midweek circuit, turning out for Lymington and Milford against visiting touring teams, always happy to do whatever asked on the field.
A stalwart of Forest cricket and a man who touched many with his quick wit and generous advice, Chris fostered a love of cricket in his early schooling days. Throughout his life he played whenever he could, for whatever team was willing to have him. During his army career he played for the Royal Engineers and, in his later working career at Fawley refinery, he played for both the Esso team, and later joined Exbury.
In most recent years he enjoyed three decades of cricket at Pylewell Park, where he felt both honoured and privileged to play amongst fellow like minded sportsmen. It was at Pylewell Park that he chose to share his passion for the game by becoming a cricket coach, helping young cricketers to reach their cricketing potential and foster a love for the game.
The long winter months of cricket free play became torturous, a man never to let weather or season stand in the way of his passion for the game he then joined an indoor cricket league.
As a grandfather, Chris was always keen to pick up a bat for a game of backyard cricket. And when visiting his family in New Zealand he used the beach to satisfy his passion, he was proud to witness his 7-year old Grandson’s first season at Devonport cricket club in Auckland earlier this year.
A celebration of Chris’s life will take place at Southampton Crematorium next Monday at 12.30pm.
A former Serviceman and a true clubman, ‘Toddy’ played for Pylewell for over 30 years as a batsman and was a regular on the New Forest midweek circuit, turning out for Lymington and Milford against visiting touring teams, always happy to do whatever asked on the field.
A stalwart of Forest cricket and a man who touched many with his quick wit and generous advice, Chris fostered a love of cricket in his early schooling days. Throughout his life he played whenever he could, for whatever team was willing to have him. During his army career he played for the Royal Engineers and, in his later working career at Fawley refinery, he played for both the Esso team, and later joined Exbury.
In most recent years he enjoyed three decades of cricket at Pylewell Park, where he felt both honoured and privileged to play amongst fellow like minded sportsmen. It was at Pylewell Park that he chose to share his passion for the game by becoming a cricket coach, helping young cricketers to reach their cricketing potential and foster a love for the game.
The long winter months of cricket free play became torturous, a man never to let weather or season stand in the way of his passion for the game he then joined an indoor cricket league.
As a grandfather, Chris was always keen to pick up a bat for a game of backyard cricket. And when visiting his family in New Zealand he used the beach to satisfy his passion, he was proud to witness his 7-year old Grandson’s first season at Devonport cricket club in Auckland earlier this year.
A celebration of Chris’s life will take place at Southampton Crematorium next Monday at 12.30pm.
