Rest in Peace
Saddened to report the passing of Springwood stalwart bowler and the complete club member, Dennis Hawes.
Bill Blackburn remembers Dennis. He may not have been well-known as a bowler but will be sadly missed by many. Dennis Hawes was for years Mr Springwood. He lived in Lowerhouses but would travel to Springwood daily, I think he held every position at the club, and as far as I can remember he was club steward for many years and treasured his ''Open All Hours'' old till.
Mike Ralph recalls Dennis as Mr Springwood
Dennis was Mr Springwood for many years, what his official title was I don’t know but he was certainly the main man, his job description could have been President / Secretary / Treasurer / Bartender, you name it. but not anything physical because from the time I knew him his health and advancing years would not allow it.
He would arrive at the club for 11.25 am like clockwork every day, and he always had a banana in one hand and first thing after unlocking would draw a pint of bitter (in those days beer was still on draught at the club), then proceed to have his banana and his pint for breakfast, and then disappear into the toilet for the next quarter of an hour or so.
The Till is still in existence and being used at the club, and it is rumoured that the production crew of ‘Last of The Summer Wine ‘ got to hear of it , saw it , and offered a very substantial sum of money for it but Dennis would not part with it.
He was very much ‘old school’, wherever or whenever you saw him he was dressed in a dark suit and a collar and tie, as befits a man whose working life was spent as an auditor for a major Bank. I have been reliably informed that he did bowl in the vets. until his knees gave out, although I did not witness it myself.
He was passionate about Springwood BC and especially the bowling section , and he was quite prepared to support the club through his his own back pocket. Evidence of this could be seen by his sponsorship of the Hudds Junior Girls Merit, which was held at Springwood. This sponsorship was apparently initially undertaken on his own but later with a co-sponsor.
The official notice from The Examiner
Dennis HAWES
Peacefully at Abbey Place Care Home aged 92 years, formerly of Lowerhouses. A dear stepfather and uncle. Service will be held at Deborah Ingham Funeral Service, Milnsbridge on Friday 17th January at 2.30pm followed by a private cremation. No flowers please by request, donations in lieu if so desired to Abbey Place Care Home for which a box will be available.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner 10 December 1987
Comentarios