Calderdale cricket stalwart John Dickinson dies

John started his cricketing career aged nine in 1953 and won several awards as he progressed through the junior ranks.

He got his big chance aged 18 when ex-England player and Brighouse opening batsman Fred Lawson went on holiday. John was asked to step in and and scored his first 50 for the team.

He moved on to Rastrick Cricket Club in 1975 but moved back to Brighouse two years later.

After retiring from the sport, John went on to work in various off the field roles and became a prominent figure in the game across West Yorkshire.

His son Joel said: “He was devoted to cricket, his family and friends and was known and respected by many across Calderdale, Kirklees, the Bradford League and further afield.

“He had supported many young up and coming sportsman over his career and in retirement as the Director of Cricket, Trustee and life long member of Brighouse club.

“Dad was also a keen snooker player and played for Brighouse Sports Club team for a number of years and he also played in the cards and Dominoes league for The Red Lion on Rastrick Common (Formerly The Globe).

“Dad was a member of Heartbeat, the Brighouse Heart Support Group and registered charity affiliated by the British Heart Foundation, and he took part in exercise groups twice and sometimes three times a week and was instrumental at relocating the group to be based at Brighouse Sports & Social Club.

“Only a few months after my mum died, dad suffered and recovered a major blood disorder, after which he wanted to give something back to those who had helped him and became a volunteer on the stroke ward at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

“He attended every morning from 9am seven days a week, including all major holidays such as Christmas Day etc, even during his last period of illness he went Christmas morning to the ward to sit with his patients before joining the family for Christmas dinner.

“He sat with patients to help with communication and to offer support to both patients and staff.”

John’s wife Barbara passed away in 2013. They have three children, Keith, Paula and Joel, eight grandchildren, Lucy, Aiden, Luke, Tyler, Michael, Louis,

Elizabeth and Bobby, three step-grandchildren, Chloe, Ellie and Darcie, and two great grandchildren, Jax and Mia.

A Celebration of John’s life will take place on Thursday, March 26 at 1.30pm at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland.

Family flowers only please, however there will be a collection plate at the service where all donations will be split between Marie Curie and Heartbeat exercise group. Those who attend are asked to wear a Marie Curie daffodil for the service.