BRIAN HUGHES: COLWYN BAY CC LOSE A CLUB STALWART

Date: 20th January 2021

BRIAN’S LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE CLUB STRETCHED BACK DECADES.

Growing up in Colwyn Bay he originally joined as a junior member at the age of ten. On leaving school he served an apprenticeship in the burgeoning electronics industry.

He spent his National Service in the RAF, mostly in Berlin. On being released, he returned to his career in electronics in Colwyn Bay where he eventually set up his own business. After playing for Mochdre CC for a few years, he rejoined Colwyn Bay in 1967, thus initiating an association with the Club lasting over fifty years, firstly as player and later in management roles. He was elected to the committee in 1981, became vice-chairman in 1991 and was elevated to Chairman in 1993, a position he held for 22 years until he stepped down in 2015.

Brian’s tenure as Chairman was notable for several significant events within the history of the Club. On the cricketing front, the Club’s induction into the Liverpool Competition in 1996 saw a substantial improvement in the standard of cricket played. Also, Glamorgan CCC, who had resumed their use of the Club as an outground in 1990, consolidated their visits into annual events, thus confirming the Club’s status as the premier North Wales cricketing venue. At the start of his chairmanship, the project to add the function suite and expand the players’ facilities was reaching fruition. Brian helped to ensure that the suite was well used and profitable. Arguably,the re-development at that time ensured that the club prospered into one of the finest cricket facilities in Wales today.

Perhaps Brian’s greatest attribute lay in treating everyone with the same degree of kindness and respect, irrespective of their position – a sign of a true gentleman. The appreciation and affection which he commanded within the Club and beyond is reflected in the number of kind sentiments to be found on social media.

He died peacefully at home aged 84 on January 13th 2021. He will be fondly remembered by all his friends at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club.