Lady Alice BC pays touching tribute to much-missed member

Lady Alice BC has honoured its former member Rose Kane, who sadly passed away aged 92 late last year, by dedicating its decked outdoor area to her.

Rose’s son George, who is also a member of the club, kindly covered the costs of building the seating section, with fellow club members helping in its construction.

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George told the Tele that his mother had adored Lady Alice and that the club had given her 'a new lease of life' after the tragic passing of his sister Irene in 2008.

He said: “When Irene passed away, I thought my mother wasn’t going to last, but then she discovered Lady Alice.

“When I found out she’d joined the club I couldn’t believe it, but she loved it.

“This place prolonged her life and that’s thanks to the ladies here for keeping her going.

“She ended up with dementia over the last couple of years and the people in this bowling club helped her so much.

“She was a warm and kind person who liked a blether, she was very kind and very giving.

“It was a big loss for me and for everyone at the club when she passed.

“I wasn’t bothered about putting the money up for this, it was great to see the people come together and strengthened the club.”

The affection felt towards Rose and her family was shown when almost 100 people came along for the official opening to the new area.

The mother-of-four had been a popular figure at the club during her time there and always made the time to talk to everyone.

During her working life, Rose served the local community as a nurse, balancing her work with looking after her children Thomas, George, Ian and Irene and spending time with her husband George.

George said he was pleased to have paid tribute to his mother and given the club a new facility to enjoy at the same time.

He added: “I felt as if we were running out of space with all the new people wanting to join the club.

“I said to the committee that if they put a plaque up in remembrance of my mother, I’d give the money for the outdoor bit to be done up.

“It was the members who did everything, it was very humbling to have them do that.

“It makes the place feel like more than a bowling club, we’re a community.

“It’s a place for our club members and guests to sit outside and enjoy and I’m so happy it’s there now.

“The whole experience of building it was incredible, all of a sudden I know I have all these people I can rely on.

“The most important thing to me is the pride I feel in this club.”

Club president Neil Long said Rose was much-missed by everyone at the club.

He said: “We had a big turnout when we opened it and I think that shows the respect everyone had for Rose and what she did for the club.

“It was absolutely mobbed, she was very well liked.

“Rose was a wonderful woman who never ignored anyone, she spoke to everyone at the club.

“It’s absolutely fantastic the way the club pulled together to get this done in her memory."