Malcolm Baynham
It is with great sadness that on behalf of our members at Portchester Petanque Club, I received the news that one of our club’s originators, Malcom Baynham, passed away this weekend after a long illness.
We are sure that many of our friends around the Region knew him as an ever present on our Committee in many positions.
At the time of his death he was still our President and his experience helped many of us and our club get to where we are today.
He and a small group of enthusiasts, led by Tom Cole, re-invented the old Portchester Club, involving many months of restoration of the terrain. This culminated in introducing the “New” Portchester as a family friendly club with great social ideas, but at that time in 1988 not being involved in the more competitive side of the game we all love.
Over the years though he was a leader in introducing our League Teams, as well as encouraging a more competitive element to a good proportion of our people. He was always a good ambassador for maintaining a great mix of all sides of the game where it still attracts a good social and progressive group.
Up until a few years ago, he was also still playing Bowls in Portsmouth, where he was also highly regarded. He was also involved in the organisational side there. I am sure it got confusing sometimes deciding which way up the Boule or Wood had to be held. No matter, he was good at both and able to pass on good advice to others.
He will be sadly missed but the ideals he introduced and maintained will be long remembered.
Nick Hall
Chairman, Portchester Pétanque Club