GRAHAM'S OUTSTANDING INNINGS CLOSES BUT THE IMAGES LIVE ON.

6th Jan 2025

Graham John Heywood, 31st January 1947- 22nd November 2024.

             GRAHAM'S OUTSTANDING INNINGS CLOSES BUT THE IMAGES LIVE ON.

​Graham was born on 31st Jan 1947 to John, a textile engineer, & Sybil Heywood. Brother Michael was born in 1952. They lived in Church Street, Ainsworth, midway between Bolton & Bury, Lancashire. He & I both went to Canon Slade Grammar School, Bolton - Graham from 1958-66, Duncan, a year later, 1959-67. He was an accomplished cricketer, a forceful opening batsman & captained all the age group teams from U14 X1 to 1st X1 the latter for an unprecedented, 3 consecutive years in summers '64,'65 & '66 something no one else has achieved.

At net practice a young Russ Houldin remembers Graham hitting his off breaks 70 yards onto the railway line &, off a short run, in swinging the old ball extravagantly as well as moving it away off the wicket, a lethal combination! 

He won Egerton CC's (Bolton League) catching prizes in 1963 (2nd X1) & 1965 (1st X1) & proudly represented North Lancashire & then Lancashire Schoolboys in 1962 batting at 4 alongside David (Bumble) Lloyd & Frank Hayes, both subsequent Lancashire County & England players & again in 1965 for the Lancashire Federation U19 X1.

In his last year at CSGS we toured London & were undefeated, winning three & drawing two. Graham also captained the school 1st X1 football team in '65/'66.

At Newcastle University between 1966 & 1970 studying Geography & Politics, Graham captained the University 1st X1 for two years in summer '69 & then '70, when Newcastle were losing finalists to Southampton in the UAU competition, played at Leamington Spa. Meeting Shirley was a major highlight in 1967. During his time there he coached many promising cricketers & continued to play & coach juniors at South Northumberland CC between 1971 &1976 whilst teaching Geography at Manor Park School.

He & Shirley were married on 7th August 1971. He was Northumberland League Batsman of the Year in 1973 scoring 539 runs at an average of 38.57 & captained the SNCC 1stX1 in 1974 & 1975, encouraging both teenage seam bowlers in their first senior season & a 55 year old, slow left arm spin bowler to give of their best, which they did.

In Autumn 1976  Graham was appointed Head Of Humanities at Mildenhall Upper School, Suffolk, Shirley's home county. Nicola was born on 5th October 1976 at the end of a very hot summer Shirley remembers.

He joined Lakenheath Cricket Club where he was nicknamed "Bolton" by his team mates for his love of Bolton Wanderers FC. He is fondly remembered by everyone at Lakenheath CC whom he helped win two Suffolk Premier League titles in 1977 & 1979 including a magnificent 100* v Sudbury, no doubt celebrating the arrival of twins Sarah & Yvette on 5th Feb 1979.

At school he taught Geography to Paul Pallant, Keith Starr & Andy Leech all of whom are still playing today for Lakenheath CC. Keith now lives in Shirley & Graham's old house!  

Cheerful, resolute, a setter of high standards, encouraging, skilful & adept at getting the best out of the teams he captained. Graham's humour was never far from the surface. It was a pleasure to play with him. We learnt how to manage matches,batting orders, bowling changes & especially field placings, to maximise the chance of success.

A further career move to become Deputy Head of  Greenwood Dale School, Sneinton, Notts took place in Jan 1985 where Graham remained until retirement in 2007.

In 1992 he suffered a heart attack & it was soon after his recovery, that he stopped applying for Headships & took up photography as a serious hobby.  Such was his diligence & skill that Graham began entering competitions & appearing on judging panels. In 2016 he suffered kidney cancer & had one removed but, typically, battled on.

He was active in photography for 25 years,  gained international gold medals & thousands of acceptances in international salons, specialising in sports & creative image making, live or in the studio at home.

Graham & Shirley travelled extensively, particularly to Germany & Spain, enabling Graham to compile montages of people & locations capturing a sense of place & setting, images of night time Spain were a passion. In 2007 Graham won a gold medal for a photo of the London Wheelchair marathon, presented to him in Linz, Austria. This award was part of the Trierenberg Super Circuit, a worldwide competition. Some of his portfolio can be found on (https://www.flickr.com/photos/195200337@NO6/5392674710/)

A devoted husband to Shirley for 53 years, loving father of Nicola, Sarah & Yvette, adored Grandad to Benjy, Joe & Alex, to George, Ruby & Martha & to Sam, Holly & Maisie; school, Newcastle University & club cricket friends join with them to express their sadness at his passing. We shall all miss him.

 Duncan D. Stephen. (Canon Slade GS 1959-1966, South Northumberland CC 1971-present)