Nick Marsden
At the Annual General Meeting in November 2012, Nick Marsden announced that he was standing down as Chairman after 11 years. On behalf of the Management Committee, Ian Broughton, Club Treasurer, later presented Nick with a bottle of wine. Nick was delighted and highly amused with the personalised label.
Nick was Vice Chairman for many years and took on the role of Chairman when Doug Bromley stood down in November 2001. Nick has been on various committees since the age of 12, back in the days when Viv Schofield chaired junior tennis selection meetings.
Nick represented Blackburn Northern at tennis, cricket and squash. He played cricket for the junior teams and progressed through to the 1st Team. He played tennis for the junior teams, again progressing through to the 1st team. Nick was Tennis Chairman for many years.
During the early days of the squash section Nick represented the Club in local leagues.
At the AGM in November 2012, Ian Broughton, Club Treasurer, proposed that Nick be given Honorary Life Membership for his services to the Club. This was agreed unanimously by all present.
Nick thanked the members and assured them that his commitment to the Club was as strong as ever but explained that he wished to free up some time for other interests.
As members know, our President, Arthur Shaw, sadly passed away in March of this year, leaving a void that would be difficult to fill.
The Management Committee asked Nick if he would become President. Nick was honoured to be asked to take on this key role. He agreed and was appointed at the April Management Meeting. His appointment as President was announced to past and present members at the Cocktail Party on the 21st April.
On the 7th May, a service was held at St Gabriel’s Parish Church to celebrate the life of Arthur Shaw. This was organised by the Ribblesdale League and was well attended. Eulogies were given by Brian Woodhead (Chairman Ribblesdale Cricket League), David Shaw, Ronnie Walton (Honorary League Secretary) and by his close friend Doug Bromley (past Chairman of Blackburn Northern.)
After the service family and friends gathered at Blackburn Northern for a short dedication ceremony. During the ceremony Nick shared some of his personal memories of Arthur and proposed a toast whilst dedicating a shrub in Arthur’s honour. The shrub is a Cornus ‘Daybreak’. It has white to pink spring flowers, distinctive oval, vertically curved leaves, red to purple autumn colour and red berries in winter. The all year round appeal of this shrub will provide a visible and lasting reminder of the role that Arthur played in the development of Blackburn Northern for the best part of 70 years.
A plaque has been placed on the wall beside the shrub near the entrance to the squash courts where it is clearly visible to all members and visitors to the Club.