Latest news with #PhilTufnell
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Phil Tufnell is among sports stars paying tribute at funeral of England cricketer David 'Syd' Lawrence who lost battle with motor neurone disease aged 61
Phil Tufnell was among a raft of sports stars who gathered to pay tribute at the funeral of England cricketer David 'Syd' Lawrence yesterday. Fast bowler turned nightclub owner, Lawrence, 61, died after a year-long battle with the debilitating Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on June 21. In a career which was cruelly cut short just as he made a late breakthrough into the England team, Lawrence represented the national side in five Tests between 1988 and 1992 and took 515 first-class wickets over 17 years. Off the field, Lawrence was held in such high regard that he was named president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2022, before being made an MBE last month in the King's birthday honours list. The sport has mourned his death in the weeks that have since passed, evidenced by rows of the historic St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol being packed with those looking to say their final goodbyes to the cricketing hero. Lawrence was carried by his son at a service attended by family, friends and sporting icons like his England teammates, Tufnell, Jack Russell and Mark Alleyne, as well as Ipswich Town footballing legend, Marcus Stewart, who also has MND. Led by Rev Rupert Martin, attendees at the funeral heard of Lawrence's love, personality and his willingness to always see the good in every situation. A eulogy was read by George Orchard, while tributes came from those who knew him best - Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and his son, former professional rugby player, Buster Lawrence. The order of service showed how Lawrence should be remembered: in his powerful prime, with a cricket sweater adorning his broad shoulders - before he spent his latter days in a wheelchair as a result of the neurological disease. Inside were images of Lawrence as a bow-tied schoolboy, before he discovered he had such a terrific cricketing talent, and the back cover revealed an image of Lawrence riding one of his beloved motorcycles. Mr Russell had the job of catching Lawrence's bowling behind the stumps since they were both children, before the pair went on to represent their nation together. Paying tribute to his late friend outside the church, he said: 'Syd was everything because we grew up together, we were youngsters together at under-13s together, so we travelled the same path really, in the same changing room for many, many years together and he was really close. 'It's a difficult day for everyone, it's been a difficult time for the last year or so for his family in particular, but we're determined to give him a good send off because he meant so much to so many people. 'He was a special person, a great personality, larger than life, did everything at 100mph, 100 per cent, no half measures, and played his cricket like that. It's a sad day, we're all going to miss him, but he'll never ever be forgotten.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend funeral of David 'Syd' Lawrence
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David "Syd" Lawrence in Bristol. Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2024 and died last month at the age of 61. Family, friends, and former teammates from both Gloucestershire and England, along with members of the public, gathered to remember him at St Mary Redcliffe Church on Friday. An emotional Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England teammate, said Lawrence was "someone who you wanted on your side". "[He was a] larger-than-life character and filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," he said. "He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go." Lawrence's son, Buster, described his dad as "a loving man" with "so much love to give". "For me, for all the accolades - not that they don't mean anything to me - but he was my dad first and foremost," he said. "He did such a great job being a dad that if you took all that away he would still be the best dad to me and the best friend." He added that behind the "hard, big exterior" his dad would do anything for the people he cared about. Revd Rupert Martin led the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'. A eulogy was read by George Orchard, followed by family tributes from Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and Buster - Lawrence's son. The Bristol Reggae Windrush Choir, which performed outside the church before the service began, also sang during the service. Current Gloucestershire Head Coach and former teammate Mark Alleyne said afterwards: "The service was wonderful. "[I'm] really proud to have known him and so glad he's touched so many lives." The funeral was followed by a wake at the County Ground in north Bristol. Lawrence, affectionally known as "Syd", was given an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours weeks before he died for outstanding services to cricket. He played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire, where he grew up. After retirement he became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder before being named Gloucestershire's club president in 2022, a role he remained in until his death. Former cricketer Andy Brassington said he was with Lawrence, who he was friends with for more than 44 years, just an hour before his death. Speaking outside the church, Mr Brassington added he "has lost a best mate". "It was a difficult situation for us all, and it was time for Syd to go. But right until the end was there he was positive." Additional reporting by Ali Durden, Ed Hadwin and James Diamond. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Syd Lawrence 'was very fast, very quick ... a mean bowler!' Cricketer's race against time to write autobiography 'I'm not scared to die' - Lawrence on living with MND
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hundreds attend David 'Syd' Lawrence's emotional funeral
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David "Syd" Lawrence in the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2024 and died last month at the age of friends, and former teammates from both Gloucestershire and England, along with members of the public, gathered to remember him at St Mary Redcliffe Church on emotional Phil Tufnell, Lawrence's friend and former England teammate, said Lawrence was "someone who you wanted on your side". "[He was a] larger-than-life character and filled the room when he came in. We had some great laughs along the way," he said."He had this great big deep voice. He'd always say hello to everyone. It's sad that he had to go." Revd Rupert Martin led the funeral, with the hymns including the well-known 'The Lord is my Shepherd'.A eulogy was read by George Orchard, followed by family tributes from Shauna Mighty and Bev Powell, Alice Lawrence and Buster - Lawrence's Bristol Reggae Windrush Choir, which performed outside the church before the service began, also sang during the Gloucestershire Head Coach and former teammate Mark Alleyne said afterwards: "The service was wonderful."[I'm] really proud to have known him and so glad he's touched so many lives." The funeral was followed by a wake at the County Ground in north affectionally known as "Syd", was given an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours weeks before he died for outstanding services to played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire, where he grew retirement he became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder before being named Gloucestershire's club president in 2022, a role he remained in until his cricketer Andy Brassington said he was with Lawrence, who he was friends with for more than 44 years, just an hour before his outside the church, Mr Brassington added he "has lost a best mate"."It was a difficult situation for us all, and it was time for Syd to go. But right until the end was there he was positive." Additional reporting by Ali Durden, Ed Hadwin and James Diamond.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England win toss & bat first against India at Lord's
Update: Date: 11:05 BST Title: Post Content: Phil TufnellFormer England spinner on Test Match Special That was genuine, that. It should've been taken. It is notoriously tricky here for the stumpers. There's that little bit of movement from Jasprit Bumrah already. Update: Date: 0.4 overs Title: Eng 1-0 Content: Didn't carry! A bye gets England off the mark and brings Ben Duckett on strike, and the Nottinghamshire batter is almost out from his first delivery. Jasprit Bumrah finds his edge, but the ball drops just short of a diving Rishabh Pant. Update: Date: 11:02 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Very good point made by Gill, if there is going to be anything in this pitch it will be this morning. Stokes should've stuck to his guns and had a bowl. Charlie, London Update: Date: 11:02 BST Title: Post Content: Phil TufnellFormer England spinner on Test Match Special As a batting side, you've got pressure for half an hour or an hour. You've got Jasprit Bumrah flying in at you and you don't want to be 40-4, so get through this period. Update: Date: 0.1 overs Title: Eng 0-0 Content: Jasprit Bumrah is back in the India line-up and he'll take the new ball. Three slips in, bowling to Zak Crawley, who leaves the first delivery of the match well alone. Update: Date: 11:00 BST Title: Post Content: Sachin Tendulkar, who has been in the pavilion admiring his new portrait, rings the bell to mark the start of the day. The anthems follow - we're almost ready. Update: Date: 10:55 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) No chase for England! In the Stokes-McCullum era! I never thought I'd see the day… Barney Update: Date: 10:51 BST Title: Post Content: Mark WoodEngland bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra I understand with Jofra Archer, that because he's been out for a few years he has to prove he can do it. They're not daft and won't expect the world. They'll know if he can manage it and not just throw him out to do it for England. I'll be short sharp overs for him. Ben Stokes will look after him. Update: Date: 10:48 BST Title: Post Content: Sir Alastair CookEx-England captain on Test Match Special This is not a wicket you'll blast a side out for. The best time to be batting will be day two and three, and then it'll get dry and spin later on. India will want to be leading after the first innings. Update: Date: 10:46 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Should've had a bowl kidding (I think). Tim, Cambridge Great choice Ben, let's hope your batters back up your decision 😉 Andy, Lancashire Update: Date: 10:45 BST Title: Post Content: It's been over 1,500 days since Jofra Archer last played Test cricket, but today he finally makes his return to the international red ball game. He's back as the only change to England's XI, coming in for Josh Tongue, but will put his feet up initially with England batting first. While we wait for the match to get going, why not take a read of Matthew Henry's excellent report on his return to the longest format. It's right here. Update: Date: 10:42 BST Title: Line-ups Content: England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj Update: Date: 10:40 BST Title: Post Content: Sir Alastair CookEx-England captain on Test Match Special You have to bat. It's going to do a tiny bit in the first 30 minutes or so, but the heat means it'll be great to bat for the first few days. Update: Date: 10:39 BST Title: Post Content: India captain Shubman Gill: "I was a bit confused this morning but I would've bowled first. If there is anything in the wicket, it's in the first day." On winning the second test: "I think the contributions came in. All the batsmen chipped in and all the bowlers chipped in. "The bowlers are feeling pretty confident. I'm feeling great, as a batsman you feel like you'll always be in the middle. "One change, [Jasprit] Bumrah comes in for [Prasidh] Krishna." Update: Date: 10:35 BST Title: Post Content: England captain Ben Stokes: "The mood's good. It's been a very well fought two Test matches, set up the series nice but we're pushing to leave Lord's leading 2-1. "Bodies are all good, a quick turnaround, everyone's fresh. "I think everyone likes playing at Lord's. I think this week is very special, you've got to try and enjoy it as much as you can." Update: Date: 10:33 BST Title: England win the toss and bat Content: Ben Stokes has won his third successive toss and he tells Ravi Shastri that England are going to have a bat. The decision is greeted by cheers from the Lord's crowd. Update: Date: 10:30 BST Title: Post Content: India captain Ravi Shastri will host the toss - he's looking very snazzy in a white suit, MCC tie and hat with matching club colours trim. A style icon. Update: Date: 10:26 BST Title: Post Content: Yes, after a thrilling victory at Headingley, England's bat last strategy fell apart at Edgbaston as India completed a massive 336-run victory, levelling the series at 1-1. Should Ben Stokes win a third successive toss in the series, what might England do on what looks to be a fantastic batting day? We'll soon find out. Update: Date: 10:25 BST Title: Post Content: Blue skies and glorious sunshine at Lord's. Toss incoming. What are we thinking, Ben?
Times
06-07-2025
- General
- Times
Highgate School holds funeral for biology department skeleton
A prestigious private school has buried the 200-year-old skeleton of a 'non-European' woman that it had kept in its biology department, prompting calls for reforms over the ownership of human woman, who was likely aged between 20 and 45 and from India, was buried in a private funeral service last week by Highgate School in London.A small wooden coffin was carried into the school's grounds in a procession led by the headmaster Adam Pettitt. The school, which charges up to £10,525 per term, said that no relatives could be contacted as there were no records of who the woman was or how her skeleton came into the school's possession. Highgate School was founded in 1565 YUI MOK/PA Highgate School, which is not accused of any wrongdoing, was reported to have spent three years negotiating with the relevant authorities before the funeral could take place. Alumni include Phil Tufnell, the English bowler, and Tom Hooper, the Academy award-winning director of The King's Speech and Les Misérables, while notable members of staff include TS Eliot, the Nobel prize-winning poet and literary critic, and Adrian Berg, the landscape painter. The ceremony led to calls for reforms over the ownership and display of human remains. Recent changes have prevented the public display of 'relevant material' from a deceased person, leading some schools to put skeletons in storage. Some skeletons may be exempt if they are more than 100 years old and not for used for purposes such as public display. Dan Hicks, a professor of contemporary archaeology at the University of Oxford, applauded the school for looking into the provenance of the skeleton. 'This is an interesting case that shines a light on something that runs far deeper into British culture than we would like to think. There's no regulation at the moment over the holding of human remains in our institutions,' he said. The procession was led by priests and Adam Pettitt, the headmaster 'If you find a human skull or skeleton under somebody's desk in a school or a university or an infirmary, or a hospital, there is no regulation unless they are from these more recent times,' he added. 'At the moment, it's a free-for-all all and it's still legal to buy and sell human remains in this country'.Corrine Fowler, a professor of postcolonial literature at the University of Leicester, said that if the ancestors can be traced, 'these unloved remains should be returned to those who will cherish them'. 'Schools and museums need clear guidance to help them address this matter. Any reforms must allow consideration on a case-by-case basis, emphasise close collaboration with source communities and ensure that, where appropriate, remains are repatriated and lovingly laid to rest,' she said. Lord Boateng, a former home office minister, told the Camden New Journal that he had called for a total stop to the trade of human remains as 'objects of curiosity'. 'The law and practical guidance in relation to the trade and retention of human remains is either non-existent or outdated and in urgent need of clarification and reform. The days in which the people of other lands and with different coloured skins were felt to be less important in terms of human decency, even in death must surely be at an end,' he said.'Action from government is needed now to draw a line under what amounts to a shaming example of historic neglect of human decency affecting our relationship with the peoples of so many lands beyond these shores.'A spokesman for Highgate School said: 'The skeleton has been in our biology department for some time, but there are no available local or archive records to clarify the origin of the skeleton or their next of kin.'We have followed national guidance by consulting with the local authority, London Diocesan Registrar and other local representatives and have received a formal burial notice.'In order to ensure we treat the deceased with dignity and respect, we invited representatives of different faiths to the interment. We received a coroner's order for burial from North London coroner service, signed on May 2 2025.' The Department for Culture, Media and Sport did not respond to a request for comment.
