Francis John Hobbs, September 1927 – February 2022

Francis John Hobbs, September 1927 -February 2022

Ninety-four years ago, Francis Hobbs was born in Easton, just a stone-throw from the cricket ground in ‘Chapel Lane’, in one of the Council houses that his father, a carpenter, had helped to build. He was the third child of a family that would grow to three sisters and four brothers, three of whom would play cricket for the village team.

Francis grew up in Easton and married his sweetheart, Jess, at St. Mary’s church in 1949. They moved into ‘The Nook’, a rented cottage at the other end of the village, and later occupied other houses within the Itchen Valley, however Easton was always “Home”. Francis loved to recall his early days growing up in the village and to remember the people who had shared those experiences.

He recalled that his association with ‘Easton & Martyr Worthy Cricket Club’ began soon after it was formed in 1946, when the village teams of ‘Easton’ and its neighbouring village, ‘Martyr Worthy’ were merged because of fewer local players following two world wars. He remembered that he wasn’t there for the first season as he was doing his National Service, however, his older brother, Vic, was and that it was he who had helped to clear and burn the vegetation that had ‘invaded’ the pitch during the war years. Somehow, the local thatched cottages then seen, survived the flying embers driven by a strong wind that had unexpectedly come down the valley!

During the Club’s early years both Francis and Jess were actively involved – he played, and Jess kept the ‘Score Book’. They took on other roles, helped to organise the ‘End of Season’ celebrations, and acted as ‘Fixtures Secretary’ in the days before a League was formed. In addition to ‘Fixtures’ with local village clubs there were more distant games that required a coach outing – an enjoyable and memorable occasion for all.

When Francis’s playing days ended, he became an Umpire, as did his brother-in-law, the late John Guest. Both had been prominent at the Club and for many seasons they ‘Umpired’ at Easton, and for the ‘Winchester District Association’. John was made a Club ‘Life Member’ in 1989, and in 1994 Francis and Jess were made ‘Life Members’ with Francis also becoming a ‘Vice President’, roles that he accepted with humility and willingness. In recent years he was delighted to see ‘his Club’ making significant ground improvements and benefitting with the redevelopment of the former Easton Village Hall and separate Cricket Pavilion into a combined purpose-built building that provided modern facilities. His enjoyment at attending the Club’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations in 2021 was clear for all.

Sadly, Francis passed away on the 2nd February. His funeral at St Mary, Easton gave a fitting tribute to a loved family man. Senior Club officials, past and present, attended to pay their due respects and on behalf of all at the Club, send sincere condolences to Francis’s family and friends.

Easton and Martyr Worthy Cricket Club