Bumble’s street name honour
ONE of Accrington’s finest sporting sons - Bumble - was bowled over after a cricket club’s bid to name a new street in his honour won backing.
The new Ribblesdale Place housing development will be home to ‘David Lloyd Way’ - after Hyndburn councillors agreed to honour the sportsman’s contributions to the borough.
Former cricket player, umpire, coach and commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd was born in Accrington and played semi-professional football for Accrington Stanley.
Lloyd, 73, said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised by my home town and I am looking forward to visiting the street once the development is complete. The street is close to both Accrington Cricket Club and Accrington Stanley Sports Hub, two places which are fantastic future resources for the local community.
“I am really pleased to have been chosen to form a lasting part of this.”
In a report to the cabinet street naming committee on Wednesday, officers had recommended Bowler Avenue and Fields Way as alternative names, citing a policy not to name streets after living people.
However, in a late intervention, council leader Coun Miles Parkinson argued an exceptional case should be made, backing Accrington Cricket Club’s suggestion. He told the meeting: “The reason I’m moving that David Lloyd gets a road named after him is because of his exceptional service. I think it’s long overdue to recognise his service for this country, for Lancashire and for Hyndburn.”
Referencing Lloyd, Ron Hill and Julie Hesmondhalgh, Coun Munsif Dad said: “I think we need to recognise that these people actually put Accrington and Hyndburn on the international stage.”
The proposal was approved - along with Bowler Avenue.
After the meeting County Coun Loraine Cox added: “Future generations will benefit from the sports hub and cricket club for many years to come. The street naming was a suggestion put forward by Accrington Cricket Club and I am really pleased we were able to approve this, to further acknowledge David’s contributions and commitments to Hyndburn.”
With a first-class playing career in cricket, Lloyd captained Lancashire from 1973 to 1977 and also played for England.