Rest in Peace
Sad to report the passing of two more local bowlers both very well known in the Huddersfield area., Frank Griffin and Mel Hopley.
Frank GRIFFIN
A real stalwart of Huddersfield bowling, Frank Griffin of Waterloo BC and Huddersfield Recreation Club, sadly passed away on 1 November.
Frank had enjoyed bowling success locally and nationally. At a national level Frank won the 2008 BCGBA Jack and Jean Isherwood trophy, the top individual award of veterans bowling in the country. He was also a prolific winning bowler as a veteran including twice winning the Veterans Rose Bowl with our picture shows him collecting the 2015 title to go along with the one he won in 2006.
He was also a regular member of the Huddersfield Veteran's Inter-District away team as well as the Yorkshire Veterans team.
There is a long held belief and assumption that he regularly bowled for Yorkshire but his name doesn't appear in the official records of Yorkshire CCGBA of almost 400 bowlers that have represented their county since 1946. I am sure someone will update me on that.
Regardless of that Frank was a well regarded bowler who was still competing right through the 2024 summer season just completed and he will be greatly missed.
Melvyn HOPLEY
Peacefully at home on the 22nd of October, aged 87 years.
Mel never reached the bowling levels of Frank but he was a popular and very well known bowler who bowled for a number of clubs and teams in the area including Grange Moor, Almondbury BC and Bradley & Colne,
Beloved husband of Barbara, much loved dad of Paul, Richard and Steven, a treasured grandad and great-grandad.
Melvyn was predeceased by his cherished first wife Bernice, who was the mother of his children. He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him.
The funeral service will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Tuesday 19th November at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please. Donations, in lieu, will be gratefully received for The Stroke Association.
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