Tributes paid to Warton Cricket Club stalwart Colin Bolton, who has passed away

Colin passed away earlier this month after suffering a stroke, surrounded by his family.

A former player who went on to captain Warton, Colin later became a prominent figure off the pitch, becoming groundsman and official.

His dedication to the cause meant he was often referred to as “Mr Warton Cricket Club”.

He was integral to the club’s rise from its rustic roots to boast a ground and facilities fit to host county youth matches.

In 2013, he received the ultimate reward for his services to cricket and the community when the Queen awarded him the British Empire Medal.

He was the first to admit that without the loyal support of his wife Sheila such an accolade would have been impossible. Both enjoyed the Buckingham Palace garden party.

As well as cricket, Colin’s other sporting passion was crown green bowling.

Apart from National Service, he had lived all his life in the village of Warton. Colin’s Great Great Great Grandfather brought the family to the village two centuries ago where they became renowned and respected citizens.

Educated at the local Archbishop Hutton School and then Morecombe Grammar School, he was an apprentice joiner before serving his Country in Korea in the so called “Forgotten War” 1950 – 1953.

On his return his career choice was that of a dairyman at which he worked until retirement. Many a village youth considered it a rite of passage to ride in Colin’s milk float and then get paid as well!

Despite his energy and endeavour in many quarters, Colin was first and foremost a family man. He is survived by Sheila, daughter Jayne, son-in-law Graeme, grandchildren Jack and

Harry and great grandchildren Bobby and Nancy, Jack’s children with his fiancée Florence.

Family friend John Glaister said: “Colin Bolton was a true son of Warton. The village will be a poorer place without his omnipresence.”

The funeral will be held at Beetham Crematorium on Friday at noon. Unfortunately, in the current coronavirus circumstances only immediate family are permitted mourners.

En route Colin will pay a final visit to his beloved Warton Cricket Club his spiritual home since 1949 and the ground which consumed so much of his life on behalf of thousands of others.