Former Rams player David’s stock was always high
A STAR of the local sports scene has been remembered at a funeral in his home village of Turnditch.
David Harrison, 76, died last month, leaving a legacy that has included a stint playing for Derby County, and the part he played in the success of an Ashbourne-based world championship stock car team.
Mr Harrison was called to Derby County’s Baseball Ground in 1962, when he was just a teenager, and his footballing career also saw him becoming a familiar face on the pitch, playing for amateur teams around the Belper Area such as Bargate Rovers,
Holbrook St Michaels and Holbrook Miners Welfare.
He was also one of the team that helped stock car number 304, driven by Dave Mellor, of Sandybrook Garage, to a series of victories, culminating in winning the world championship.
Together with his brother-in-law Tony Morley, Mr Harrison helped with the mechanical side of the car and was also its painter.
These days saw him and his wife Jean travelling all over the country, sometimes twice a week, with Dave Mellor his wife Brenda as they arrived at the various stadiums to compete. The venues would include Long Eaton, Belle Vue, Coventry, Northampton, Sheffield and Bradford – but the team also travelled to Holland to compete in the world championship final.
Away from the pits and pitches, Mr Harrison worked at British Gas and Dales Housing for most of his life.
His family says he died suddenly on January 28, with underlying health problems and having contracted Covid-19.
His funeral took place at Turnditch Church yesterday.
VILLAGERS in Mayfield have helped to raise more than £1,500 to upgrade the community’s playground.
The Mayfield and Rocester Neighbourhood Association (MARNA) set out in January to create a crowdfunding scheme, with the aim to raise enough money to replace a tired set of swings and a roundabout.
The group wanted to buy brand new equipment for children in the village to enjoy, that the community could be proud of.
During December MARNA asked the people of Mayfield to pick their favourite from a choice of three companies’ designs for a new playground.
The majority of the vote,
67%, chose a setup offered by specialist manufacturer
HAGS Global. The playground equipment has been designed to be fun and engaging and is aimed at children of all abilities, disabled and nondisabled.
Once it has been delivered and installed, there will be opportunities for sliding, climbing, scrambling, rocking, swinging and role play.
The project has also been supported by neighbouring businesses Bowmer Bond Narrow Fabrics Limited, as well as Briggs Equipment UK Ltd and the Rose and Crown pub.
To find out more, or to support the crowdfunding scheme, visit www. crowdfunder.co.uk/mraplayground/ or email playground@marna.org.uk