Henry B Collin (1907 - 2001)

It is difficult to imagine Lymm Old Students' Association without Henry. He became Hon. Treasurer in 1947 and maintained his enthusiasm and commitment until his death last November. He was such a colourful character. Meetings and functions were never dull when Henry was present! He loved his old school and for many years served as Governor and Trustee.

Henry was an Honorary Life Member of the OSA and served as President in 1952-53. Sport was an abiding interest, indeed an obsession, throughout his life as both player and spectator. Henry's most wonderful attribute was his love of life and people. With his wide interests he could, and would, converse comfortably with anyone at any time.

With the approval of the family, the Committee has decided to present to the School 'The Henry B. Collin Cricket Trophy for the Best All-Rounder' as a memorial to Henry from the OSA.

There will be many people who will feel able to say that I was privileged to have known Henry Collin. I was one of the many.

Henry was known so widely and had friends in all walks of life. It is a testimony to him that the service to commemorate his life at St Wilfrid's church on the day of his funeral was so well attended. Often when one attends the funeral of someone so old there are few attendees, their friends and relatives having already passed on. Not so with Henry, he was still making new friends in his latter years. He was always interested in people. He was always prepared to spend the time of day asking about one's friends and family.

We all knew that Henry had led a full life. Perhaps we did not appreciate just how full and fulfilling it had been until we heard the excellent eulogy delivered by Henry's son Harold. Henry was, by some standards, an 'old man' in his early sixties when as a young old student I first got to know him. And yet I feel that I have known him all of his life. It was only in listening to Harold that one became aware of and appreciated how much he had done in those first sixty years.

Henry had been involved in Lymm Grammar School and its successors for most of his life and was still an active old student and trustee of the school at the time of his death.
He felt passionately about the school and of course the old students' association of which he must have been a founder member in 1934. He was treasurer for most of the time since the association's formation.

Henry will be forever known for his love of cricket and it is fitting that the OSA has donated a prize to the school, to his memory. This will be awarded to the best all round cricketer each year.

David Nicholson

MEMORIES OF HENRY B. COLLIN

My first recollection of Henry Collin was as an 11-year-old going to Arpley on a Saturday afternoon to watch my father and him play cricket for Warrington in the Manchester Association. Henry would have been in his late 30s and was the opening quick bowler with a memorable and distinctive low delivery style and flowing black hair.

My next contact with him was in 1953 when I first got into the School's 1st cricket XI and was selected for the annual Founders' Day fixture against the Old Boys. This meant the daunting prospect of facing Henry on the rather indifferent school pitch, bowling at a pace 'with which I was not familiar!'

In 1955 Henry persuaded me to part with two guineas in return for Life Membership of the OSA-which must represent an all-time bargain! He had already by then been Treasurer of the Association for several years and remained so until the time of his death last November.

Henry retained an infectious enthusiasm and interest in so many things, particularly cricket, the OSA, his family and life in general. My last special memory is of Norma and I spending a lovely summer day with Kath and Henry at Old Trafford last year watching his beloved Lancashire play. No doubt he will be delighted that they have won the first game of this season!

It has been a great privilege to know such a wonderful Gentleman. I and many others miss him greatly.

Michael John Olver (1948-55)