THE DEATH of 89-year-old Frank Walker robs Cartmel CC of one of its leading characters.

His main playing days were between the 1930s-60s when he was regarded by all as a gentleman cricketer.

Surviving an horrific and life-threatening playground accident in 1924, his first game for Cartmel was as an 11-year-old in 1925 in an Ulverston and District League game against Swarthmoor.

Ten years later he was a key member of Alf Howarth's side that brought the Cartmel club its first honour, the Willink Shield, as Division Two champions in the Westmorland League.

He was a fine all-rounder with a best bowling performance of 8-21 against Burneside A in 1934, and 80 with the bat against Ambleside A in 1949.

As First XI captain (1948-53) in 1950 he brought the Willink Shield to Cartmel Park for a second time.

When his playing career ended in 1966 he became groundsman, a role he performed with a passion until 1981.

The ultimate accolade came in 1978 when a full Worcestershire County Cricket Club side including local boy Norman Gifford, the famous Basil D'Olivera and New Zealander Glenn Turner played Cartmel in a pre-season friendly on a wicket dubbed "as good as a test match strip" - and that in April after a Lakes winter.

Frank spent his latter years in the nursing home over-looking Cartmel Park. His son Geoff is still a player at the club. JG