21st August 1951 SS
FUNERAL OF MR. W.E. WRIGHT
STONE FARMER AND SPORTSMAN
The death of Mr. William Ernest Wright, of Sandon Farm, Sandon, until his retirement in 1938, occurred on Saturday at Aysgarth, Lichfield-road, Stone.
Mr. Wright, who was 87, was born at Sandon Farm, where he successed his father as tenant remaining there until his retirement. All his life he was a great sportsman and he readily shouldered public duties in the village for which his genial temperament and ready capacity for friendship fitted him.
For many years he represented Sandon on Stone Rural Council and was also a member of the old Stone Baord of Guardians.
But perhaps it was as a cricketer that he will be best remembered. A former Captain of Sandon Cricket Club he received a presentation from the Club as far back as 1883 on topping the bowling and batting averages.
He continued to paly well into middle age until a series of riding accidents brought about his retirement. He was a fine horseman, hunting with the N. Staffordshire Hounds, and being keen member of the Staffordshire Yeomanry for many years. In 1894, as Sergeant W.E. Wright, he was awarded a presentation clock by officers of the Stafford Troop of the Yeomanry on winning the combination prize at the annual camp.
As an agriculturalist he had a great interest in the shire horse and Shropshire sheep, breeding and exhibiting many fine specimens of these breeds. He was a member of the Staffordshire Agricultural Society (Stone District) and in earlier years regularly acted as judge at the Society’s competitions.
To the last Mr. Wright maintained his interest in cricket being a member of Stone Cricket Club and a Vice-President of Little Stoke and Sandon Clubs.
He leaves a widow, Mrs. M.A. Wright, one son, Captain J.M. Wright, of Capetown. South Africa, and three daughters — Mrs. A.W. Fisher, of Quaker Farm, Shallowford, Mrs. A. Rawlinson of Kettering, and Mrs. W.E. Jackson, of Stone.
Rector’s Tribute
The funeral service on Monday at Sandon Church, which preceded interment in the churchyard, was conducted by the Rector of Stone and Rural Dean, Rev. J.H. Herbert.
The Rector paid tribute to the example Mr. Wright’s long life had been to many. He had been a steadfast churchman, and for many years had been a devoted church warden at Sandon.
Among those present at the service was the Countess of Harrowby.
The family members were:—Messrs. A. Rawlinson, A.W. Fisher, W.E. Jackson (sons-in-law), J.H. Beck (nephew), J. Shaw and Mrs. W. Hay (cousins), Messrs. Horace Poole and R.A. Jackson.
Others present include:—Mr. T.W. Knowles (representing Sandon Estate), Dr. H.T.D. Bocking and Mr. C.P.E. Holford (representing Sandon Cricket Club); Messrs. Brittain Adams (Sandon Village Club), H.W. Sargeant (Sandon Parochial Church Council), J.T. Johnson (Stone Branch N.F.U.), S. Berrisford (Stone Rural Council), S.H. Jenkins (representing Little Stoke Cricket Club), J. Hughes, J. Cadman, R.W. Lindop, Miss M. Wright, Mr. Alfred Wright, Miss K. Bentley, Miss M. Shaw, Mrs. A. Ratcliffe, Mrs. G. Cope and Mr. S. Kent.
Mrs. F. Blakeman was organist and the funeral arrangements were by James Banks, of Stone.
8th September 1951 SN
Sandon Gardens.—In support of Sandon Church funds, the beautiful gardens of Sandon Hall, by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Harrowby, will be open to the public to-morrow (Sunday) from 2-0 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is an attractive display of roses and late Summer flowers. Tea will be served in the grounds.
Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD
