North Devon cricket community saying farewell to a legend of the local game

Bats will be raised in the air across North Devon this week to commemorate the life of Rodney Bowden, who has passed away at the age of 73.

Rodney and his wife Janet were part of the furniture at Barnstaple & Pilton Cricket Club for over 20 years, so much so that the club renamed the pavilion in their honour a couple of years ago. Rodney first started playing cricket at the age of nine and didn’t stop for the next 54 years.

It was a proper husband-and-wife team at the club, with Janet working as clubhouse manager and treasurer while Rodney was out in the middle.

It is not just Barnstaple & Pilton CC celebrating the contribution of this cricketing legend, as Rodney also turned out for the likes of Braunton, Westleigh and North Devon down the years.

Born in Barnstaple, Rodney Bowden went to school in the town and then studied construction at North Devon College. He later founded R F Bowden Builders and married Janet in 1977, the couple would have two children, Maria and Simon.

His devotion as a father and husband was mirrored in his love of cricket, and Rodney was a key figure in the merger of Barnstaple CC and Pilton CC, but it was not just behind the scenes that head an influence!

Rodney was also a very good player in his own right, a steady opening batsmen, who scored just under 500 runs in a promotion-winning campaign for B&P. His last appearance for the club came in 2013 at the age of 61.

Next on the list was a spell with Devon Seniors, scoring the last of 49 centuries in his long career in a match against Somerset. Sadly, Rodney suffered a stroke during one match, which forced him into retirement.

When Janet retired from her role at B&P, club chairman Lee Cole paid tribute to the duo, telling the Tolchards Devon Cricket League website: “If there was something that needed doing, Janet would just get on with it and get it done.

“Janet devoted so much time to the club, and not just at weekends. She was always on hand to open the club during the week.

“Janet will be sorely missed, so much so we decided to name the pavilion after her and Rodney who was a player for the club for many, many years.”

Rest in Peace Rodney Bowden, thanks for the memories.

While we remember the amazing contribution of Rodney and Janet, the current crop of B&P players are looking forward to a new season in the sunshine and the B&P Ballers enjoyed a great start to their indoor campaign, securing maximum points with victories over Bideford and Hatherleigh.