DEREK WHITTAM

DEREK, aged 86, of Accrington, sadly passed away at Belvedere Care Home, Accrington on Monday, November 9, where he had lived for the past four years.

After leaving Grammar School, Derek went to work as an overlooker at John Berrys. He had a short spell working for Betterware and then Enfield Manufacturing. He then took up employment with David Whiteheads which involved him working in Kaduna, Nigeria in the early 1960s. On returning home he worked as a sales manager for various companies, the main one being Matthew Brown (Lion Brewery).

Derek had many hobbies during his lifetime. He ran for the British Army at cross country, he played football for Burnley Youth Team and Bacup

Borough, finishing after breaking his leg in his late 20s. He played cricket for Church Cricket Club, who won the Lancashire League title in 1962. He moved to Baxenden Cricket Club and was made captain in 1973, which he did for several more seasons. He was a playing member of the team which won the Ribblesdale League in 1980. He played golf at Accrington Golf Club and was made captain in 1978. Derek was captain of the Dyers and Finishers

WMC, which won the Evening Telegraph Sports Quiz trophy in 1975. Later in life he took up crown green bowling and played for The Coppice Bowling Club, Burnley Road Bowling Club and the Oak Hill Park Veterans in various leagues. Derek followed Burnley Football Club and Manchester United, where he was a season ticket holder for many years. He was on the benefit committees for cricketers David Lloyd and Jack Simmonds.

He enjoyed long walks up the Coppice, which he did most days. He also loved foreign holidays, travelling to Canada, The Rockies, the Caribbean, Malta, Spain, Greece, Sorrento and Capri, and after retiring spent the winter months in Tenerife and Cyprus. Derek was an avid reader, attending Accrington Library several times a week.

Derek was the loving husband of Sylvia, much loved dad of Angela, Julie and Duncan. He was grandpa of Justin, Angela, Nicola, Adam, Sophia and Sienna, and a greatgrandpa of Jodie, Georgia, Niall, Ellis, Jacob, Thomas, Sylvia, Scarlett, Imogen, Ollie and Lola.

Derek’s funeral service was due to take place on Thursday, November 19, at 12.20pm at Accrington Crematorium. Family flowers only, but donations may be made to North West Air Ambulance c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.