Ian Harcombe (SH 51-56).

Fraser Harcombe kindly submitted the following notice about his father:

Ian Harcombe died in June aged 76.

Following a period of National Service in the navy he trained as an accountant and having qualified he practised in industry until his early 60s.

He worked in the textile industry in Macclesfield for a number of years, notably at Adamley Textiles, a silk manufacturer in Macclesfield. In future years he and his wife Tina would help to run the Silk Education Service.

He was a keen walker and walked the coast to coast walk twice, the length of the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and climbed the three peaks of Snodownia, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in 24 hours. He also trekked along the Grand Canyon and climbed Kilimanjaro.

Ian was also an accomplished dry-stone waller, notably building a wall at the family home, Parkett Heyes House, for what seemed like months on end!

Following his retirement he cruised around the world three times on the same freighter, Boularibank, and on the last trip the ship was attacked by Somali pirates! When he wasn’t aboard ship he could be found most days at the Anson Engine Museum in Poynton, Cheshire in his overalls – generally finishing the day with a small fire!

His main love, however, aside from his family was cricket. He played from his childhood through to his forties; playing as wicket keeper for Prestbury Cricket Club for many years until his knees told him to stop. He was treasurer of the club and was a Life Member and Vice President. Once he stopped playing he continued to watch the game whenever possible and travelled all over the world to watch England play in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. He was there when Viv Richards scored 189 in a one-day international at Old Trafford in 1984, also when Devon Malcolm took 9 wickets for 57 runs at the Oval against South Africa in 1994, and he was there when Brian Lara scored his 400 not out against England in Antigua in 2004 - special times!

He will be sadly missed.

 

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