ALBERT HANSON

MR Albert ‘Bert’ Hanson, of Andrew Avenue, Rawtenstall, died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Monday, March 29, aged 86.

Bert was born and brought up in Edenfield, only son to Olive and Albert Hanson.

Sadly, his father died of TB and was in Aitken Sanatorium at Holcombe in 1934, and Olive was left to bring up Bert alone, and she did a marvellous job.

Bert went to Edenfield

Primary School, then onto Peel Brow.

He lived next door to Richard Holts Farm, and after school that’s where he would be, going to get the cows in for milking. Then at weekends and school holidays, he would help with the milk rounds and hay making.

He did his national service with the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury and Bulford, and was in the Military Police.

Bert worked for many years at Transparent

Paper Mill at Heap Bridge, Bury, as a slitter, then as manager in the Dispatch Warehouse. In Bert’s younger years he played football for lots of clubs; Edenfield Youth Group, Tottington St Anne’s, and many more teams. He played cricket for Edenfield as a young boy and man, and liked playing as a fielder, as he was a good catcher.

In later life, he played crown green bowls for The Boars Head at

Newchurch, which he enjoyed very much. He was also a very keen fell walker. He loved walking in the hills around Rossendale. The Lake District was a big favourite, going whenever he could to do another Wainwright, or one of his own walks. He also went to Austria for many years to walk in the hills in all the districts of the Tyrol; he loved it.

Bert was involved with RCC and the Lancashire League for many years, and became chairman for 12 years and became Honorary Life Member, which was a great honour for him. Bert was chairman at Rawtenstall CC, as well as the Lancashire League, and

League President, and was a life member of both institutions.

He leaves many dear friends, his sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Jack Heyworth, dear friend Marjorie down the avenue who he knew from being six years old, Gordon, also a very good and dear friend, and many more through his cricket.

I would just like to thank all my neighbours for their help and support; Carole next door for making my tea Sundays when I got back from hospital, Marjorie for listening to me on the phone, also the Royal Blackburn Hospital, who were marvellous looking after Bert on the acute stroke ward B2 and looking after me also.

They were our angels, heroes, and we are so very grateful; thank you, you will never be forgotten.

Thank you to Hamers Funeral Service for all their help, and also Rev Stephen Crook for his kind words. Thank you all who have sent cards and flowers. Father of the late Anita, he leaves wife Lynn, son John, grandchildren Aidrian, Michael, Cameron, Leon and

Emily, and greatgrandsons George, Tobias, and Oliver.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 14, at 11.30am at Burnley Crematorium, led by Rev S Crook. Family flowers only please; donations if desired to RCC (Rawtenstall Cricket Club). Donations can be made online at www. fredhamer.co.uk (tributes and donations).

Funeral director: Dawn Winfield for Fred Hamer Funeral Service.