TRIBUTES have poured in for a Colwall Cricket Club stalwart who died watching his team.

Peter Pedlingham died of a suspected heart attack while watching the club’s first team play Bretforton in the National Village Knock-Out Cup on Sunday. He was 69.

The grandfather was a well-known figure in the village.

The former Ledbury Grammar School student made his debut for Colwall first team aged 16 as an opening batsman and off-spin bowler.

He was good enough to play for Worcestershire Second XI and Club and Ground team and was one of the coaches of the first Colwall youth cricket teams. Pedlingham undertook a number of roles at the club which included vice-captain, committee member, bar manager and he helped maintain the ground.

Each of the club’s four teams will stage a minute’s silence before their matches over this weekend. He was also a keen footballer and played as a wing forward for Colwall Rangers in their Herefordshire Junior Cup and Malvern League-winning sides. He also served as the club’s secretary for more than 20 years.

Pedlingham also played for Colwall Wyche in the Malvern Table Tennis League for several years and was a keen fundraiser for Colwall Cricket Club.

Gary King, Colwall cricket chairman, said: “It’s been a huge shock for everybody connected with the club, he spent all of his life in Colwall.

“He regularly scored 1,000 runs in a season and his many large partnerships with his opening partner Roger Crump are part of the history of the club.”