Tributes are paid to keen sportsman
TRIBUTES have been paid to a keen sportsman and former captain of a golf club who was a ‘gentleman’.
Bernard Woodhead passed away on Tuesday, March 5 at his home in Baxenden after a long illness, with his family by his side, aged 77.
The beloved father-of-two was a valued member of 40 years and became the Captain of Baxenden Golf Club in 2001.
Bernard also helped the club arrange the entertainment for events they were hosting.
His son, Darren, said: “Everyone says what a gentleman he was.
“He was a quiet family man and popular, I don’t think he realised just how popular he was. He was always chatting about sport and meeting people through sport locally.
“He knew so many people.”
The devoted grandfather-of-five had a wide skill set and had a talent for multiple sports including football, snooker and darts.
Bernard began playing golf when Darren, who is a former member of Baxenden Golf Club, showed interest in the sport.
Bernard played football for Accrington FC at Peel Park in the 1960s as well as cricket for Baxenden Cricket Club.
He also played snooker for the Poplar Social Club in Accrington and he played darts for The Abbey in Accrington in the 1960s.
Both venues played in local leagues which Bernard participated in.
He won the Silver Putter and the Club Cup for golf as well as numerous trophies for snooker and darts.
Baxenden Golf Club posted a tribute to Bernard on their Facebook page.
It reads: “Baxenden Golf Club has lost another valued member with the very sad passing of Bernard Woodhead.
“Bernard was a genuinely humble man with a sharp wit and humour, Bernard was extremely popular not just at Bash (and indeed IN Bash) but also at Accy Stanley, where he shared his passion of football with his family and friends, none more so than his son Darren.
“He will be missed by many and from a personal view, especially by me, who he proposed as a junior member, far too long ago.
“Our hearts go out to Pam, Darren, Wendy and family, a sad day without a doubt, though I know, not only would Bernard not want us to feel the sorrow we do but he’d also be embarrassed by it, such was his nature.”
Bernard was born in Oswaldtwistle to parents Frank and Mary and raised in Accrington where he lived, before moving to Baxenden in 1980.
The former Holy Family Secondary School pupil followed his father’s footsteps in engineering.
He joined English Electric as an apprentice where his father worked as an engineer.
Bernard then worked for Aircelle in Burnley as a configuration engineer for more than 20 years.
Bernard met his wife of 54 years, Pamela at a jazz club in Accrington.
The couple got married at St Anne’s Church in Accrington in 1969.
Bernard took great pride in his garden and enjoyed making beautiful hanging flower baskets.
He liked visiting the Canine Club in Accrington on Friday nights with his friends.
He was also a keen walker and joined the Hyndburn Ramblers on their walks every Wednesday.
He particularly enjoyed walking up to Green Haworth.
He was a huge supporter of Accrington Stanley and was a season ticket holder.
He and Darren would watch the games together.
Bernard will be dearly missed by his wife Pamela, children Darren and Wendy, grandchildren Liam, Chelsea, Emma, Joseph and Lewis, greatgrandchild Rosabelle and his many friends.
Bernard’s funeral was due to be held on Thursday, March 14, 11am at Accrington Crematorium with his wake at Baxenden Golf Club from 12pm.
The tribute posted to Baxenden Golf Club’s Facebook page read that Bernard was due to become President of the club.
The club have confirmed this was a mistake and he was not due to be president.