As I am sure many of you are aware it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Rook.
The highly regarded status of Londesborough Park Cricket Club is a testament to Robert’s hard work and dedication over many years and the club would not be in its current healthy position without all his efforts and his love of the ground.
He started playing for the club in the early 70’s and, along with his brother John, they formed a formidable team, although history tells us that often only one of them could play whilst the other had to farm. Robert was renowned for his ‘sociable efforts’ when competing in the mid-week touring games and made an excellent contribution, similarly causing havoc when the club took the opportunity to tour away from East Yorkshire. He was an opening batsman for the 2nd XI and rumours are that he would occasionally bowl too. The lure of rally driving curtailed his on-field activities for a number of years before returning to the sport in the mid 80’s. Then the very persuasive powers of secretary Peter Milne quickly turned a playing career into officialdom, Robert becoming Chairman in 1988, and a new formidable partnership was formed which continued to further develop the club for many years.
The club has always had the reputation of playing its home matches on a wonderful, picturesque ground but, until the late 90’s, the facilities left something to be desired. In order to gain entry to the York & District Senior Cricket League Robert, Peter and other club officials were instrumental in the development of the ground, taking the pavilion from a tin shed to the fine facilities that exist today by obtaining grants and donations, organising fundraising and overseeing the construction of the new pavilion in 1998, then repeating the process 10 years later to extend it further. His love of the ground was obvious to all, but perhaps not everyone realises just how many hours he would contribute to the maintenance of everything Londesborough Park. Many a groundsman has had a training session to help lift them to Robert’s high standards, proven by the club’s ground and facilities being highly ranked on a regular basis in the York & District Senior Cricket League’s Merit Table. The ‘Last of the Summer Wine Gang’ will most definitely have his precision and care ingrained into them.
Robert was also dedicated to seeing the juniors enjoy the ground and develop their love of cricket, not only preparing countless wickets but coming to spectate and support, watching Charlie and Ed and particularly in later years proudly enjoying watching the development of his grandchildren.
The club has been a tremendous success under his leadership, but Robert was never one to forget to thank others for their contributions and offer his support to anyone involved with the club. He was also renowned for his quality control of cricket teas, astutely arriving to sample the fare on offer just as it was about to be served.
Over the years teams have enjoyed highs and lows, promotions and relegations but Robert leaves the 1st XI in its highest ever position in the ECB Yorkshire Premier North Premier Division 2, supported by a strong 2nd XI and up-and-coming junior section.
All the club’s members, players, officials and supporters are deeply indebted to Robert for his dedication over many years.
Finally, as a club all we can say is, to coin his phrase, leave it with us Robert, we will carry on the good work.
A celebration of his life will be held at All Saints Church, Market Weighton on Friday 14th March at 1pm.