Tributes paid to Heathcoat chairman Richard Cabburn
GLOWING tributes have been paid to Heathcoat chairman Richard Cabburn following his sudden death at the age of 54.
Cabburn only took on the chair at Heathcoat last autumn in succession to long-serving John Smith. Previously, he had been associated with Thorverton CC.
Having returned home from running the clubhouse bar on Saturday night after the team had won at Sandford, Cabburn fell asleep on the sofa.
He was still there in the morning and air ambulance paramdeics were unable to revive him.
A minute’s silence was observed prior to Heathcoat’s game against Exmouth at Knightshayes last Saturday.
Smith said his friend’s death was a tragedy for his family and a loss not just to the club but the cricket community.
“Richard was always looking for ways to make our club better and from his time as secretary before he took over from me was a hard worker,” said Smith.
“It was typical of him that he was running the bar on a Saturday night as someone had to do it and no one else was available.
“Richard was a totally different type of chairman to me. He was much more consensual and the atmosphere he was creating at the club was helping it grow in popularity.
“He joined the club when his son Christian decided it was time to step up from playing at Thorverton to a higher level. Both of them have been real assets to Heathcoat.
“Our thoughts go out to his wife Rhona and parents as this sad time.”
John Spry, a long-time player and committeeman at Thorverton, said Richard and the Cabburn family were remembered with affection at the club.
“They must have been with us for at least six years while Christian was going through youth cricket and all got involved,” said Spry.
“Norman, Richard’s father, umpired in 2ndXI games and Richard coached with us and ran youth sides.
“When we wanted a set of replacement nets, it was Richard who organised getting some from a club in Somerset.
“We had a minute’s silence for Richard before our games last Saturday.”
Richard Cabburn was born in Surrey and attended Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex before completing his education at a textile academy in Switzerland.
Richard went into the family business – Clitheroe Silks – which was based in London before relocating to Crediton around 25 years ago.
The company’s claim to fame was it supplied some of the material used in the wedding dress worn by Lady Dianna Spencer when she married the Prince of Wales.
Richard Cabburn inherited his father’s love of cricket – Norman captained a side in Surrey – and was also a motorsport enthusiast. He didn’t watch GPs on the television; he went wheel to wheel out on the circuit!
Over the years he competed at Le Mans, Goodwood, Siverstone and Brands Hatch in a variety of cars, ranging from TVRs to Porches. Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer and amateur racer, was a friend off the track and rival on it.
Richard Cabburn is survived by his wife Rhona and son Christian. No funeral details have been confirmed.
