Walter Rees

It is with great regret that Prestatyn Cricket Club announce the death of Past President Walter Mostyn Rees.

Walter, aged 86, suffered a fall at his home on Christmas morning, from which he never recovered and he died at Glan Clwyd Hospital on 7th February 2009.

Educated at Rhyl Grammar School, he served in the RAF during the 2nd World War after which he was employed at Courtalds, Greenfield, until his retirement.

He was introduced to cricket at Prestatyn in the summer of 1948 by Malcolm Innes-Davies who was looking for 2nd team members. His playing career was not exceptional, he was a left arm trundler and most of his games were in the 2nd eleven, however it will be for the 58 years of devotion to cricket at Beach Close, that Walter will be best remember for.

He was “The Quiet man of Prestatyn Cricket Club”.

Over the years he has served as secretary, fixture secretary, bar manager and president and when required, mechanic for the mowers, painter, pavilion maintenance, what ever needed doing, Walter did it, often without any request for help.

When it looked like the Club might lose the ground, he was instrumental in getting a 25 year lease and securing agreement for the foreseeable future.

As Secretary and then President, he has watched the Club come from relative obscurity of friendly games, through The North Wales League, The North Wales Competition, The Merseyside Competition and now to Liverpool and District Competition – Premier League. Walter rarely showed emotion, just rubbing his hands together when no one was watching, but he must have as been as proud as everyone else was with the Club’s rise in status under his presidency..

At every successful club there will be tales of unsung heroes, Prestatyn‘s history will show that Walter Rees was such a person.