HANCOCK (Alwyn, nee Goodwin). It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alwyn Hancock on Friday, 12th February, 2021, aged 82, at her home. Reunited with her beloved husband John. The beautiful, brave and most precious mum of her girls Alison and Nicky; proud and much loved nan of Ellie and Meg; dearly loved and respected mother-in-law of Chris and Jake; dearly loved sister of the late Aileen, and loving aunty, sister-in-law and dear friend to many. In our hearts always. Goodnight and God bless. The funeral will be held at Carmountside Crematorium on Thursday, 4th March; family and invitation only. Family flowers. Cortege leaving home at 2.45pm. Donations in memory of Alwyn to Cancer Research UK. Enquiries: John Garside and Son, 2, Cross Street, Biddulph, 01782 513 210.
HIBBERT (Stephen). Passed away suddenly on 12th February, 2021, at Leighton Hospital, aged 71, of Mossley, Congleton. The dearly loved and devoted husband of Sandi, and formerly Pauline, sadly both at rest. The loving son of Doreen and the late Dennis Hibbert. Cherished stepfather of Ashley and Michaela, and grandfather of Matthew and Harry. The funeral service takes place on Monday, 1st March at St Stephen’s Church, Congleton, prior to interment at St John’s Church, Buglawton. Family flowers only; donations, if desired, to St Stephen’s Church, Congleton. “Softly he slept in that last hour, God’s angel hovered nigh. He took to heaven the one we loved, to wake in bliss on high”. Enquiries: Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton, 01260 277 622. afinneron.co.uk.
IRELAND (Jonathan Andrew). Passed away peacefully on Monday, 8th February, 2021. Jonathan Andrew Ireland, aged 51. The beloved son of the late Pat and Frank, dear brother to David, Rachel and Philip and a treasured uncle. The funeral service takes place on Monday, 1st March at Crewe Crematorium at 12.15pm. Enquiries: Peter Forshaw Funeral Services, Sandbach, on 01270 762 230.
LITTLEMORE (George Allan). The death has been announced of (George) Allan Littlemore, of Sandbach. Born in 1938, the year in which Foden’s Motor Works Band won its second consecutive hat-trick at the National Brass Band Championships, his education started at the Church of England Infants School in Middlewich. At eight, he transferred to the secondary junior school from where, three years later, he passed the eleven plus examination and became a pupil at Winsford Verdin Grammar School in September 1949. He had also successfully passed the Foundation Scholarship to Sandbach School, but rugby and Saturday morning school were deterrents. While at Winsford, and under the watchful eye of sports master Eric Rowley, Allan blossomed as a cricketer and was one of the youngest ever to be awarded school colours. Twice scoring 50 runs for the school team and twice taking five-wicket hauls, Rowley said of his cricket ability that he was the finest all-rounder the school had ever produced. On leaving school in 1954, Allan took up an engineering apprenticeship at Foden’s. In all, he served the company for 26 years until it went into receivership in 1980. At that point he was head of personnel and had the unenviable task of sending out over 2,000 redundancy letters to every single employee, including himself. In 1984, he left to join L Gardner and Sons Ltd, the diesel engine manufacturers in Manchester. Within two years he had been promoted several times until he was engine division manager. Later he moved to the small engine division of ABB in the rail industry, based in Derby. In 1963, he married Janet Hodnett, of Crewe, and later they had two children, Phillip (b 1967) and Kathryn (b 1970). He joined Elworth Cricket Club in 1951 and was variously 1st XI vice-captain, assistant secretary, treasurer for 12 years, chairman for 14 years, and in 2004 he became president. In his playing career he batted 532 times for Elworth, scored over 7,000 runs and took over 300 catches. In 1994, Allan was made honorary life member of the club. He was later to be nominated by Cheshire County Cricket Club for an OSCA, an Outstanding Service to Cricket Achievement Award at a ceremony at Lords Cricket Ground. In 2012, he negotiated the purchase of the cricket ground at Elworth from the great-granddaughters of Edwin Foden, and then raised £50,000 to buy it outright, coinciding with the club’s centenary in 2013. That was more than enough and left a balance to build new dry stone walls and a Tarmac apron to the entrance. Shortly afterwards, Cheshire East Council announced that it was going to sell for development the former site of Boothville Children’s Home opposite the Fox Inn. Allan saw a potential opportunity for Elworth Cricket Club and knowing the land adjacent to the club was dedicated recreational ground, he eventually set in motion what turned out to be interminable negotiations with Cheshire East Council to purchase the land. Thanks to a loan from a benefactor, purchase was eventually successful and an extended cricket pitch for juniors and a three-bay state-of-the-art practice nets area was redeveloped and opened in time for the 2017 season. In his youth, Allan had been a keen badminton player and held titles for the U18 championships of the Crewe and District League. For over 15 years he was band manager of Foden’s Motor Works Band and later, a further 10 years as manager at Leyland Band and subsequently its chairman. His most significant booking for Foden’s was when he secured the opportunity for Foden’s to play for Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1983. As well as writing a number of books, mainly on brass bands, Allan’s other hobbies included family history, local history and golf. His interest in local history led him to research and write numerous articles, and to give talks at local societies. In 2012, Allan received and accepted an invitation from the department of culture, media and sport for he and his wife Janet to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in “recognition of his outstanding contribution to cricket and music”. Allan died peacefully at his home on Saturday, 20th February, with his wife Janet by his side.
LOMAS (Wilfred “Roy”). Passed peacefully on Thursday, 18th February, at Greengables Care Home, Congleton, Surrounded by his loving family. Roy aged, 76, of Congleton. The dearly loved husband of the late Elizabeth (Liz); a much-loved dad of Susan, Michael, Gillian and Nicola; a loving father-in-law of Dom, Janet, Mick and Graham; a cherished granddad of Scott, Kate, India, Thomas, Ffion and Tom, and treasured great-granddad of Lily and Oliver. Roy will be sadly missed and most fondly remembered by all his loving family and friends. The funeral service will take place at the Parish Church of St Michael, Hulme Walfield, on Monday, 15th March at noon, prior to interment in the churchyard. Due to the current restrictions, family only will be in attendance. Family flowers only please, by request; donations, if desired, may be sent for East Cheshire Hospice. Enquiries: Andrew Smith Funeral Services, Park Green House, 82, Sunderland Street, Macclesfield, 01625 433 853, andrewsmithfuneralservices.co.uk
O’CONNOR (Joseph Michael, “Joe”). “There are very few May 13th Taurus in this world to be born on Friday, 13th; it makes you very unique and super special.” Sadly passed away on 10th February, 2021. Joe, aged 32, of Congleton. Devoted partner of Laila; fun-loving and adored dad of Logan, Keali, Kara-Alice, Bump, Teigan, Mercedes, Conrad and Dayton; precious son of Donna and Terry; treasured brother of Blake, Thomas-John and Jed; cherished grandson of Susan and Peter Leake; much missed and loved nephew of Christopher, Viv, Tony, John, Anne, Nursey (Dawn Sadler) and Wod; special uncle to Oscar, Alfie, Ella, Edie, Reggie, Paige, Lyra, Alexa, Grace, Kai and Mia, and beloved cousin of Katie and Jack. Joe was the life and soul of the party; he will be missed and remembered by so many, but especially by his best friends Mr Bould and Carl. A private family funeral is to take place in the chapel at Macclesfield Crematorium; the service will be followed by committal at Congleton Cemetery. Family flowers only; donations, if so desired, can be sent to John Garside and Son Funeral Directors to support Joe’s partner and children at this sad and difficult time. Enquiries: John Garside and Son, Mountbatten House, Storehouse Green, Congleton, 01260 298 829.
ROBERTON (Neil David). Peacefully on 17th February, 2021, at home. Neil David, aged 50, of Congleton. The dearly loved son of Clive and the late Mary; loving brother of Tania and Sean; dear brother-in-law of Nick and Joanna, and a treasured uncle of Jamie, Ben and Nick. The funeral service and cremation take place at Macclesfield Crematorium on Tuesday, 2nd March. Family flowers only; donations, if desired, via the family to Macmillan Nurses. Enquiries: Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, 32, West Street, Congleton, 01260 277 622. afinneron.co.uk.
SMITH (Ronald George). Passed away suddenly on Friday, 12th February 2021. George, aged 62, of Mow Cop. The loving brother of Josephine and Jacqueline; brother-in-law of John; a special uncle of Andrew, Mike, Claire and Holly; treasured great-uncle of Bella and Evie; a dear cousin of David, Shell, Ashley, Lucy, James and Heidi, and a good friend to all who knew him. A private funeral service and cremation will take place at Carmountside Crematorium. Family flowers only, please; donations, if desired, to Diabetes UK in memory of George. Enquiries and donations: Wilson’s Funeral Directors (IJ Kirkham), 48, Cinderhill Lane, Scholar Green, 01782 785 937.
WALKER (George Alan). Passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital on 19th February, 2021. Alan, aged 87, of Alsager. The beloved husband of Sheila; loving father to Robert, Ruth and Pamela, and a grandfather. The funeral service takes place at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Alsager, on Wednesday, 10th March at 11.30am. Family flowers only; donations, if desired, to British Heart Foundation. Enquiries: Williams and Lowe Funeral Directors, Field House, 40, Congleton Road, Sandbach, 01270 750 852.
