THE local community is mourning the sad loss of sportsman and publican Ray Windsor, who passed away on August 14 at the age of 81.

One of seven children, Ray was born in Wellington on February 9, 1943 and followed in his father Tom’s footsteps and made his First XI debut at the age of 13 years old.

Ray was a right-handed batter and occasional bowler and, despite his slight build, soon gained a reputation as a fearless clean hitter of the ball who relied on timing and when he was a the crease he was always eager to get on with the job of scoring runs.

His prominence on the local cricket scene with Wellington was noticed by Somerset and in 1969 he made his first appearance for the Second XI in the Minor Counties match against Cornwall at Falmouth on July 11 and 12.

In the return match at Taunton three weeks later he opened the innings and made 140 which included 18 fours and shared a second wicket partnership of 101 with a 19-year-old Brian Rose, who scored 32.

On the strength of that, Ray was picked to play for Somerset against Yorkshire in the 40 over John Player League match at Taunton on Sunday, August 10, a game the hosts won easily and during which the debutant neither batted nor bowled.

Ray made his championship debut for Somerset against Sussex at the County Ground in Taunton starting on August 23, where in a drawn game he was dismissed without scoring by Tony Greig in the first innings and not required to bat in the second.

Ray was offered a one year playing contract by Somerset but declined it saying that there was greater security in the long term remaining with Avimo who were based in Taunton.

There were to be no further appearances for Somerset but he continued to play occasionally for the Seconds in the Minor Counties and played his final Second XI Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road in 1978.

On the local cricketing front Ray moved on from Wellington to cricket play for Taunton where one season he scored a double century as well as seven centuries and six half centuries.

He left Avimo after 25 years and moved to Bridgwater where he became licensee of two public houses, firstly the Beauford Arms in St John’s Street, and then the First and Last which he renamed The Sportsman where he remained until 1999.

Soon after moving to Bridgwater he was persuaded at the age of 38 to turn out for the town club and in his first season 1982 helped them to win the Somerset Knock Out Cup, playing in the same side as his son Paul who later went onto captain and the become president of the club.

In addition to playing cricket Ray also played rugby for Wellington RFC.

Ray is fondly remembered by  his team mates who recalled some of his big hitting achievements.

One recounted that in a match at Sidmouth Ray hit the ball onto the beach, but when someone went to fetch it he was told by the woman who the ball had hit on the arm that she’d thrown it into the sea!

Another recounted that Ray hit the first ball of the 1976 season in Taunton’s first ever match in the Somerset League against Winscombe  out of the County Ground into the graveyard of St James’ Church.

Ray Windsor’s funeral will be at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater on Friday, August 30 at 11.30am, and those attending are asked to wear brightly coloured clothes after which everyone will gather at Bridgwater Cricket Club to celebrate his life.