It is with great sadness we must report the passing of Derek Harwood after a short illness. Our sincerest condolonences go out to the Harwood family.
The funeral will be at Enfield Crematorium on 17 April although due to the current Coronavirus pandemic no one other than actual immediate family will be able to attend. The family have requested that only family flowers are allowed.
Derek’s wish was to always hold his wake at Chingford CC.The family will grant this wish and hold a memorial celebration but postpone it until later this year when hopefully all his many great friends can attend.
If anyone would like to donate to charity then the family have chosen Cancer Research. Please use the link below:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/donate?gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8mvlUZ3jSmDx3XHv0WoAqoUnawi_puTQjKbayn6XG1ygx4-O7W_d43gaApJXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
A tribute to Derek is below.
Derek Harwood was the son of Chingford legendary bowler Jock Harwood, but unlike his father he was an opening batsman, full of talent and determination, who sold his wicket dearly. He was also an occasional bowler, moreso in his early years at the Club
Derek was the oldest surviving member not in age but in terms of his debut for the Club. He first appeared for the 3rd XI in May 1946 in the same game that Buddy Jessop played his first game for the Club. The two excited youngsters travelled together to Broxbourne by bus. Although Derek opened his account with a duck, he had the consolation of picking up a wicket so his senior career was under way.
Runs were soon flowing from the Harwood willow and from the records we have Derek amassed 7333 runs, which make him the 38th highest run scorer in Club history. His tally included 5 centuries, including a monumental 142 for the 2nd xi at Highgate in 1951. I remember Derek being delighted to receive The Young Clubman Award for that year(awarded to him posthumously in 2008 at the Club Supper, we even managed to include a copy of the press cutting of the match from The Chingford Guardian for him!)
I believe Derek also scored a half century against an Essex XI, which he was extremely proud of.
Derek regularly played up to 1977, but I also remember the last game of the 2nd xi season at Eton Manor in September 1983 when Derek answered a Jeff Runciman SOS to come out of retirement and help the Club out. Poor Derek ended up with a broken hand for his troubles getting stuck in on a difficult pitch, but such was his bravery.
Once Derek had hung up his boots he was a regular at the Club, he spent several years scoring for the Colts as his talented son Steve learned the game. In more recent times Derek was a fixture around the ground on match days and he particularly enjoyed events like Cricket Week.
Derek was also an avid supporter of our sister Club Chinghoppers CC, for whom he was a Life Vice President. Previously he had been a very proud man to be appointed Chinghoppers President in 2000
Derek was also a keen Tottenham and Barnet fan, attending many matches. The author remembers travelling to Portman Road with him for an FA Cup tie only to get in the ground just as the gates were locked at capacity leaving poor Derek locked outside the ground with Steve Hart!
Derek’s good nature and cordiality will be sorely missed. He was an absolute gentleman.
The Order of Service and Funeral Service details are below:
Order of Service – Derek John Harwood
Friday 17th April 2020 at 1pm
Enfield Crematorium – North Chapel
Entrance
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Welcome and Introduction
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Enfield Crematorium – for those of you that I haven’t already met, my name is Liz Wagstaff and I’ll be conducting today’s service.
Whilst our time together will give each of you the chance to say your final goodbyes, it is also an opportunity to celebrate Derek’s life – a time to recall happy memories, special days and shared experiences. A time to remember all that Derek was and all that he will continue to be in the memories you hold of him.
In a moment, Stephen will read a poem that he has chosen for today but to begin our service some words from the writer Tessa Wilkinson; ‘The only way we can be protected from the pain of loss is by never having loved. How empty then our lives would be and what a lot of shared moments we would have missed. So, although what we’re feeling at the moment is awful, we must try to remember this - it is because we have been privileged to have loved so deeply that we now experience such sadness’.
Stephen will now come and read to us
Poem – Let me go by Christina Rosetti
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me but let me go.
If you’d like to and are able, please stand to sing our first hymn – Morning has broken
Hymn – Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken,
Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird;
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain's new fall,
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass;
Praise for the sweetness,
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where his feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight,
Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light
Eden saw play;
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God's re-creation
Of the new day.
Please be seated
A Tribute to Derek
Derek was born on the 20th February 1929 in Walthamstow, East London to parents Jack and Dolly. He was an only child and grew up in the family home in Middleton Avenue Chingford.
Derek attended the local schools – Larkswood Primary and Highams Park School.
In September 1939, Derek was evacuated to Chudleigh in Devon where he spent two years being looked after on a farm. Derek loved to help out each day with the chores and enjoyed playing with Bruce, the farms Border Collie.
During his two years on the farm, Derek fell in love with the West Country and when his own family were young, holidays were often spent in Torquay, Devon. The family would tour the local area, spending time on the moors, relaxing on the lovely beaches of Paignton and Preston and cockeling in Teignmouth. In later years, Derek’s parents retried to Devon.
After leaving school at the age of 15, Derek’s first position was as a messenger for a Stockbrokers. Derek stayed in the finance industry for the rest of his career and he eventually progressed to become a dealer on the floor of the stock exchange until his retirement in 1988.
In the early 1960’s Derek’s parents moved to Newton Abbott. Derek, however, decided to remain in London and found lodgings with a family in George Road Chingford – this was where he met a pretty young girl named Marilyn. As the old saying goes ‘the rest is history’ and they went on to marry in October 1967 at the church in High Beech Epping.
The newly-weds set up home together in a lovely little house in the same road as Marilyn’s parents George Road – and it was to remain their home for the rest of their married life. In December 1968 Derek and Marilyn became proud parents to twins Stephen and Sandra. In later years, Derek became a Grandfather to Holly, Emily, Hannah and Jack.
When the family were young, there were always plenty of cats in the house, however in 1981 Marilyn decided that it was time a dog joined them. At the time Derek was adamant he didn’t want a dog, but he was overruled by the rest of the family. Sometime later, Marilyn bought home a Border Collie puppy called Purdie. To begin with Derek didn’t bond with Purdie but soon the two of them began an irreversible relationship that would continue until 1996. After Derek’s retirement in 1988 he would spend his days taking Purdie for long walks.
Over the years, Derek formed many relationships through his work and sporting activities. He was a big Spurs fan and a keen supporter of Essex Cricket Club. Derek was himself a fine cricketer and indeed followed in his father’s footsteps by playing for Chingford Cricket club for most of his life. Following his retirement in 1988, Derek would tour the country with his good friends and family watching his beloved teams. Derek also loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them in their own activities like horse riding, football & cricket and watching football with them on Sky Sports.
Derek also like to spend time with the family and would often join them for lunch in pubs and restaurants and in the summer months he enjoyed BBQs. Derek also loved his garden, which was beautifully kept by Marilyn - Derek would often spend time down by the pond reading the daily newspaper or listening to sport, especially football and cricket on the radio.
To conclude our tribute to Derek, Sandra and Jack will now say a few words
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If you’d like to and are able, please stand to sing our second hymn – Abide with me
Hymn – Abide with me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Please be seated
If you’d like to and are able, please join with me in the words of The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Commendation and Committal
We have now come to the part in our service where we will say our final farewells to Derek. In a moment I will ask you to stand again if you are able. We will then continue to stand and hold silence together for a few moments, before I read the prayers of Commendation and Committal. So, if you are able, would you please stand.
(10-15 seconds silence)
Into your hands Lord
We commend your child Derek
For he is yours in death as in life
Gather him to yourself in gentleness and peace
That he may enjoy the rest which you have prepared for him.
** Curtains to be closed **
We have entrusted Derek to God’s mercy
And now commit his body to be cremated.
Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.
Please be seated
Closing Words
As we heard during our tribute, Derek was a keen cricketer. To reflect this, I’ll bring our service to a close with a short poem entitled ‘The last boundary’ by the poet Michael Ashby
Weeping willows formed an honour guard
For the cricket ball writ with a noble name
A team of ten, which had once been eleven
Would never be the same side again
No bails united the forlorn stumps
Since this wicket had fallen some days ago
And as the bowler delivered to the lone batsman
The hushed crowd willed a six to go
The magical sound - of leather on willow
The sweet smell - of freshly cut grass
The cricketer - crossing the last boundary
To a third innings - that would forever last
Our final piece of music for today is Champions by Carl Davis and The Royal Philharmonic
Exit
Music – Champions by Carl Davis and The Royal Philharmonic
The family would like to say how sad we all are that our
relatives, friends and Derek’s lifelong friends have not been able to join with us today as we say goodbye.
However, we would like to say thank you for all the kind messages of sympathy and support we have received.
We are hoping that once this awful health Pandemic passes then we will arrange a memorial gathering at Chingford Cricket Club where everyone can join in to celebrate by ‘raising a pint’ to Derek.
We would also like to thank anyone who sends donations to www.cancerresearchuk.org our nominated charity, as no floral tributes were allowed today.
Finally, an enormous thankyou goes to all the wonderful NHS Staff at Whipps Cross Hospital who gave Derek so much compassion and loving care.
A SERVICE TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF
Derek John Harwood
20TH FEBRUARY 1929 – 2ND APRIL 2020
Enfield Crematorium
North Chapel
Friday 17th April 2020 at 1pm
ENTRANCE MUSIC
“My Way” by Frank Sinatra
WELCOME by Liz Wagstaff
POEM - Let me go by Christina Rosetti
Read by Stephen
HYMN – Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dew fall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
TRIBUTE TO DEREK
Written by the family
Read by Liz
REFLECTIONS OF DAD/GRANDAD
read by Sandra and Ja
HYMN – Abide with me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done;
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom
The Power and the Glory,
Forever and ever.
Amen
Prayer of Commendation
Committal
Final Blessing
EXIT MUSIC “Champions”
by Cark Jenkins and The Royal Philharmonic
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