Everyone at Upminster Cricket Club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our longest serving Vice-Presidents, Carole Osborne, earlier this week.

Carole was well known to many members at Upminster from both this generation and several before, as well as being well known to players, members and supporters at numerous other clubs in the area.

Carole's husband David was a playing member at Upminster in the 70s and 80s and during this time Carole was a constant companion of David on match days as well as helping out in many ways around the club. David moved on to play for Gidea Park & Romford and Brookweald in the 90s and Carole naturally accompanied David to games for his new clubs, but they both maintained a deep affiliation to Upminster and were regulars on the club's annual tour to North Devon during this time.

All of the Osborne family are well known on the local cricket circuit, with Carole's son Neil having played for Upminster, Gidea Park & Romford, Brookweald and Shenfield, and particularly at Upminster where Carole's daughter Andrea, granddaughters and son-in-law are a constant presence at the clubhouse and where grandson Michael is a regular for the club's junior and senior sides.

In recent years, with David having hung up his boots, Carole was a regular spectator at Upminster 1st XI matches both at Upminster Park and at other venues, as well as being an ever present at the club's Benefit Matches with Essex where she would be on hand in the clubhouse to help ensure guests and players were well looked after.

As well as being well known to so many people involved with club cricket, Carole was also a friendly and familiar face to members and supporters of Essex County Cricket Club. Carole and David were regulars for many years at the County Ground and would also follow the county side to away games all over England.

Carole will be missed by so many people involved in local cricket and beyond, and everyone at Upminster Cricket Club sends their best wishes and condolences to David, Andrea, Neil and the rest of the family at this sad time.

**A celebration of Carole's life will take place at St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch, at 12.30pm on Thursday 25th July. This will be followed by a service at the South Essex Crematorium (Upminster) and then refreshments at the Ingrebourne Links Golf and Country Club, New Road, Rainham.